AU2013202827A1 - Conversion systems for biomass - Google Patents

Abstract

CONVERSION SYSTEMS FOR BIOMASS Abstract The efficient production of ethanol from low-cost biomass (e.g., corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, switchgrass and/or paper) has become increasingly important in making ethanol competitive with gasoline and decreasing the United States' dependence on 10 foreign oil. For example, to reduce the cost of transporting biomass to ethanol production facilities, mobile systems for producing ethanol from biomass are provided. Also provided are small-scale ethanol production facilities. For example, instead of transporting biomass to the production facility, the facility is transported to the biomass or is located nearby the source of the biomass. The ethanol production facilities or 15 components thereof may be transported via land, water, or air. Production of other products, such as hydrocarbons, natural gas, hydrogen gas, plastics, polymers, and proteins, can also be made by the methods and facilities. Any product described herein can be made in finished form or un-finished form and moved, e.g. to a fixed facility, e.g., fixed production facility.

Description

CONVERSION SYSTEMS FOR BIOMASS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICAIONS This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional iPatent Application' No. 60/832,735, filed on July 21. 2006. the contents of which is ineorporated h rein by reLerence 1n 5 is entirety, TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a system for producing energy (ea dehanoi, hydrocarbons, gaso ine; methane, natural gas, and biodiesel),electricits nutrients human and 10 animal), pharnmc-u >iOalshumn and veterinary) (eg medicines, and drug, fert or other co-'products from bioiass. In particular, the invention relates to niobie, portIbie and modular facil iies for producing energy (e.g, ethanol, hydrocarbons, gasoline, methne, natural gans, and biodiese!), eetihcity nutrients (human and animal), pharmaceuticals (human and veterinary) (eg medicines, dnugs), fertilizer, or other co-products, by fermentation or other S process fron bioass (eg, crops agricultural waste, and municipal solid waste), BACKGROUND Ethanol has a variety of uses, including as an industrial chemical and solvent, fuei addiive, ad straight liquid fuel. Ethanol is a e~an burning fuel that can be produced rm 20 renewable sources such as crops (g corn, and sagar cane), wood waste, agricultural waste, or othcr biormass l thano not only reduces air emissions. but it also improves engine perormance, Also, as a renewable fuel, ethanol reduces the United Skates' dependence On toreign fossi fuels. Recent, ethanol production in the United States has grown from 175 million g ns 1980 to 3.4 billion gallons in 2004, There arc current 1 (1 ethanol 2$ producn ci lilies on-line in the U S., and 30 more are undcr construction, Therefore the production of ethanol un coming years is expected to increase, The majority of ethanol nade in the' US is derived from corn; however, ethanol can also be produced from other crops high in starches and sugars, such as grain sorgtthn, wheat, bailey, potatoes, sugar cane, or sugar beets, The production of ethanol starts with breaking down the complex sugars (eg, amylose, cellulose) found in these plants into simpler fermentabie sugars (e.g, dextroset This first step can be aconmphscd using enZYme's cId, water.and/or hea. Once the simpler sugars are obtained, yeast or other termntug microorganisms are added to covert the sugar to ethanolI. The etthanol. ist remiov ed from the 5 tenrmentation by distillation. Water may be removed from the ethanol by dehydration, and the ethanol may be denatured to make it unfit f1or human consumption by adding a small amount of gasoline or other alcohol (c.g- methanol) The production of ethanol as a fuel supplement has many benefits including boosting the economy creating jobs, benefiting agrculture, aiding rural economic =donent, 10 providing energy security and independence, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing emissions of other pollutants including carbon monoxide, particulate matter, oxidcs of nitrogen and other ozone-iorming pollutants. Joseph DePardo in an article entitled "Outlook for Biomass Ethanol Production and Dematnd" (wwwealtdoe.gov/oianalsispper/bomasb.m) has said that th p'odction of 15 enhanol from com is a mature technology that is not likely to see significant reductions in production cosis. Ie hypothesizes that the ability to produce ethanol from other low cost biomass will be important to malng etihanul competitive as a fuel additive. Therciore, a need remains for ipingQ the production of ethanol from crops as well as other bionass including "nion-irginionass such as municipal solid waste, 20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides for the production of energy (ag, ethanol, hvdrocarbons, gasone, natural gas, methane. biodiesel, and hydrogen gas, eCetrilcity, plastics, polymaners anutrients (hunan and animal). proteins, boimolecles, pharmaceuticals (hman and 25 veteinary) fertilizer, or other products from biomass using mobile or potable production facility or smuliae facility. The inention stems, at least in part, from the recognition that it mnay be more effici economical, and/'or Convenient to move production facility or to have a snal-soale facility nearby rather than moving the bioiass used as thestaning material in the process or thc product such as ethanol prduced by the facility, In certain embodiments 30 the inventive facilities allow the use of local supplies of bionass and other inaterials needed in the process such as water, electricity natural gas, gasoline, and sewer. In the case of mobile 2 facilities, the site may include certain infrastructure (e.g. a foundation (eg, concrete slab)) for the faciiy, walsN roof, building piping wiring sever line' gas Tinesha an ht The iventive facilities also allow for the use of bi;mass traditionally not tioughi o as useui for producin enegy (eg. eio' hydrocarbons. gasoline, natural gas, methane, bio iesel and 5 ydrogcn g) ectricity, plastics, polymers, nurients (human and animal), proteins, biomolecules, phanneuticals (human and veterinary), fertilizer, 0r other products, such as algae, aquatic plants, agricultural waste, and human waste. The inventive systems have personal commercial, governmental, agricultural, and. military applica tins. in one aspect the iuvention provides mobile production facilities frprocessing 10 biomass t o produce any of the desired products described herein. Th mc bile faciItics of the invention are easily transported, or components of the facility are easily transporatable Transpoting the production facility or components of the facility rather than the iomass starting material is particularly useful and economical given that ian y of the crops used to pAroduc energy (e.g bioethanol, gasoline, hydrogen, natural gas) or other desired prod ucts are 15 seasonal. Ihroroe a production facility only needs to be operational in the area when crops or other bionass is available for processing, After the processing is done, the fiutli.t or certain components ofl the Facility can travel to another area with biomass available fr conversion to a desired product, The inventive facilities or components thereof ma be transported by water air lnd, or any combination thereof The inventiwe facilities may include parts of the facility 20 or infrastructure that is not transportable or mobile. For example, the inventive production facility or components thereof may be transpoftable on a boat, barge ship, or other nautical vessel Suc facilitis are particularly useful for producing ethanol or other poducts from aquatic biomass such alge ( Sargusstu) or aquatic pian.ts. These facilities are also uisenul in traveling on a body of water to different areas with biomass suitable for the 25 production of the desired product (e.g, traveling on a river or on the ocean and docking at an area with suitable bionass for processing) The portable facilities or componenis thereof may also be transported on land, For example, the facility may he transported by a car, a truck, tractor trailer, and railroad ears). AganrIh thland vehicle with the portable fac ilty can travel to areas with biomass suitable for the production of the desired product Finallv the facilities 30 may be transported by air, The facility may be transported by plane, helicopter., and blimp. Air transportation of the facility allows for the use of biomass typically too far avay from 3 production facilities to be used. The facility may be on the plane, or the facility or components may be dropped from a plane or delivered by plane, The mobile facility is typically conveniently sized and oranized to provide for easy transportation of the facility and/or its individual components. In the case of land transport, the transportation vehicles are typically 5 able to travel roads and highways used by cars, trucks, and tractor trailers, In the case of sea transport, the facility or components are typically carried by a boat or barge which is moved by a boat, i the ease of air transport, the facility or components is sized to fit in a pane (eg., cargo plane) or helicopter. The inventive mobile facilities or Iaciliies constructed from mobile components may 10 include any or all of the following apparatuses useful in producing the desired product (g. ethanol): pre-processing means for the bionass, mills cookers, cooling contners, holding containers, fenenters, distillation apparatuses, columns, piping transfer containers and mixing ontanersIn certain embodiments the different stages of the production. faciitics are linked together eticienrtly so that a user cai easily transfer materials fom one stage of the production 15 process to another. 'The facilities inay also include any reagents needed in the production process including yeast or other microorganisis (including genetaly egineered microorganisms) enzymes (e.g, amylase, and ceuiase), acids (e .g., sulfuric acid, hydrochlore acid), bases (egsodium. hydroxide), chemical reagents, water, nts, molecular sieves, and columns. in certain enbodiments, whcn ethanol is being produced, the facility includes 20 denaturants such as gasoline or other alcohols for denaturing the ethainoL Th inveltive facilities can Include all the necessary equipment and reagens conveniently stord in the facility making fr easy use of the facility. In certain embodiments, the facility produces enough ethanol or other energy source to supply the energy needs of a factory town, vilage, and island, In certain embodiments, the ethanol production facility produces less than S million 25 gallons of ethanol per year The facility may also optioially include any equipment mandated by intmational, federal state, or local law including, Ir example, safety equipment necessary to pnreveit or handle spils, firesor other emergencies. As will be appreciated by one of skill in this art, the production facility nay be assemble from various trainsportabie components. These components may include pre 30 processing means far the biornass, mills, cookers, cooking containers, holding containers, femienters, distillation apparatuses, columns, piping transfer containers and nixing containers. 4 In certain embodiments, the component comprises a combination of two or more of any of the above. The facility May include non-transportable components. These components of an ethanol production facility are designed for easy assembly of the working facility at the site. The components may be pre-fabricated. T he components may be interchangeable aid may 5 provide for senability of the facility In certain cases, the components system allows the facility to be easily assembled and broken apart for ease of portable ityrThevarious components of the facility may be brought to the site using any eombinaton of transport means (eg., air, water, and land). In certain embodiments; the components are brought to a site with certainfrastructure which may include elecricity shelter, foundation, sewer water, and 10 natural gas lines, All or some of the components may be later disassembled and moved to a new site. In certain embodinents, particular components andior the infrastructure may remain at the site to be optionally used again. In some cases the mobile production facility or components thereof are disposable so that after it has served its purpose a portion or all of the facility is abandocd temporarily or 15 permanently, in other embodiments, the facility or components thereof are anmt to be re-used and are therefore transported from place to pace with suitable bomass, The facility may be Completely seif-sufficieni requiring only the addition of biomass, or the f'clity nay require other materiaUs or utilities such as Water, eetricity natural gas, gasoline and sewer For example, the ethanol or other energy produced by the mobile tailitv may be used to power a 20 generator to supply electricity to th Iac ilihty, 0 th e rthan or o other cncrgv source may be burned to provide th heat to break down the biomass in a cooker or to run a disilation. The ethanol or other energy may also be used to power the vehicle used to transport the facility or comnponents thereof, In another aspect, the invention also provides smallbseale ethanol production facilities ')5 (e.g, producing less than 5 -illion gallons of ethanol), In certain embodiments, the inventi ve smai-scale facilities produce less than I million gallons of ethanol. These smai scalc facilities may be portable or components of tie system may be portable as described above. These facilities may include any or all of the following apparatuses useful in producing bioethanol: pre-processing means for the biomass, mn-ills, cookers, cooling containers, holding container 30 fermentors, distillation apparatuses, columns, piping transfer containers, and mixing containers i certain embodiments, the different stages of the production facilities are liked together 5 efiiently so that a user can easily transfer materials from one stage of the ethanol production process to another, The fifciit may also include any reagnts needed in die ethanol production process including yeast or other microorganisms inningg genetically eginered iiroorgaiisms), enzymes g amylase, and celluiae) acids (e.g. stdfHuric acid, and 5 hydrochloric acid), bases (eig sodium hydroxide water salts molecular sievesgasoline or other alcohols for denaurring the ethanol, and any other reagents. The enive fac Ifities can. e g include all thecs.eessary equipment and reagents conveniently stored in the mobile facility making or asy use of the facility, In certain embodinents, the facility prodies enough ethanol to supply th etfianol needs of a factory, town, villageN and ario Iin -ertain 10 embodiments, the facility produce less than 5 million galkrs of ethanol per Vear The tacilty nay also optionally include any equipment mandated by nt national, federal state, or local a including, for example, safety equipment necessary to prevent or handlA spills, fires, or ote emergencies, Other products as described herein may also be produced by the smrall scale production facilities. 15 The present inventioP also provides processes fbr producing a desired product using an inventive facility, The process uses biomass from a local area in an inventive production facility to produce tie desired product locally. The locally prodcd prouct e .thanol. gasoline natural gas, hydrogen gas. and hydrocarbons) is then preferably uscd locally to avoid the cost of the transporting both the biomass and the final product. Preferablya local water 20 source is used in the production process. Other reagents needed for th e process may be provided by the facility or provided locally. The waste or co-usroducts from the production Processethe distilrs grain, can be used locally as a highly nutritious ivestock feed or as a fertilizer. Other waste products or co-products from the process such as bi mlceats. carbohydrates, protein and polymers may also be packaged, used, and/or soi, 25 The mobile component-based ethanol production facilties and smiall-scale production facilities complement larger-scale ethanod production facilities (ie facilities that produce over Q2 mion gallons of ethanol per year), In some cases, the inventive faciities may eliminate the need for large-scale ethanol production facilities in some areas. The portable nature of certain svstens works especially well given the cyclical nature of crops and other biomass in 30 various geographic areas. These inventive faciities also allow for the eco-nomical production of ethanol trom low cost biomass, which will aid making ethanol a competitive fl additive. 6 In certain embodiments, the iventive system uses biomass that is not con. sugarcane. or sugarbeet, or includes a small portion of these crops. in one aspect the invention features a facility for producing ethanol frorn biomnass Such a facility includes at least one component that is portable. 5 In soi embodiments, the cnponent performs at least one step in the process of converting biomass to ethanol, For example, the component can pre-processes the bimas, ferment the bionass, or purify ethanol produced from the biomass, in some embodiments, the facility is capable of only producing less than about I nilion gallons of ethanol per year, or less than about 5 million gallons of ethanol per year, 10 In some instances, the facility includes at least two portable conponents, in another aspect, the invention features a portable facility for producing ethanol from biomass in another aspect, the invention features a portable facility for producing ethanol from bionass, Such a facility includes a means for transporting the facility and a f'rmenter for I5 converting sugars derived from biomass into ethanol. For example. fit acidity can be transported by land, For example, the facility can be transported by railroad. For example, the facility can be transported by water, such as by using a boat, baIge or Other nautical vessel 20 For example, the facility can be transpoirted by air, such as by using an airplane or helicopter. For example more than one mode of transportation can be used. For example, any one or more of air, land or nautical modes may be utilized, For example, train in combination with ba-ge or boat, or blimp in combination with train. 25 For exarle, the facility can further include a means for converting complex sugars of biomass into simpler, more fbrmentable sugars. For example,. the facility can also include a means for purifying the ethanol produced i the tbrmenter; such as one or more distillation columns, in another aspect, the invention features a portable facility for producing ethanol from 30 biomass that includes a means for transporting the facility, a mil. br grinding the biomass, a cooker for lquefying the biomass, a fermenter for converting sugars derived from biomass into ethanol and a isi'lation apparatus. In another aspect, the invention features a method of producing ethanol from biomass that includes providing biomas; providing a portable ethanol production facility; and 5 producing ethanol from the biomass using the portable ethanol production facilitv, in another aspect, the invention features methods of producing etianol from biomass, e.g,, one or more cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials (e.g, switchgrass and/or paper), that include producing ethanol from bionass at a first site with a reactor or a converted a fermenter; Itrsporting the reactor or converter to a second site: and producing ethanol from I U bioniass at the second slite with the reactor or converter, For example, thie biomass can be or can include any cellulosic or lignocellulosic material such as com, sugar cane, sugar beets, trees, shrubs, grasses, phytoplankton, zooplankton, algae, macroalgae, saweed, corn husks, bushes, lumber, wood waste, pulp cotton, wool, inn, paper; newspapers, corrugated containers mixed paper computer printouts, 15 white office paper, printing plat scraps, leaves, twIgs, grass; plaint cuttings branches, trees, vinessewage agricultural wvast. Mixtures of any of these can also be utilized. For example, transporting can be performed with a natiucal vessel, eag, a boat, a barge, ship, d ock or a floating platorim. For example, transporting can be performed with a land vehicle, such as a caU truck, tractor trailer or train, For example, transporting can be performed 20 wi an airbome ve hicue such as a plane helicopter or blimp, in some emnbodiments transporting is performed by more than a single mode, such as by a land vehicle and a water vehicle. in some embodiment, the producing is performed while transporting. in some enbodiments, the system uses fixed resources, such as piping and/or electricity 25 a given site: In some embodiments, the reactor or converter forms part of a system and the system also includes a component such as cutters, shearing devices, measuring devices, flow devices, ills, mixers, punps, wiring, cookers, heaters, coolers, aerators, containers, holding containers, distillation columns, piping, or mixtures of these. 8 Spacing between a first site and a second site can be small or relatively large. For example. the sites can be physically beside one another, For example the ethanol can be produced while the sem is being carried by a moving train. in oth er embodiments, the first site and second site ae spaced apart by a distance of 5 about 25 mies or nore, c. about 50 riles or more, about 75 mijes or more, about 100 mi Is or more. about 150 miles or more, about 250 or more niie.s or even about 500 miles or more. in sorne ebodients, producing ethanol from biomass at the first and/or second site includes hydrolyzing the biomass, and then fermenting the bnomass. The methods can further include, e.g, transporting the system to a third site, and then 0 producng tanol at the third site. The methods c. an include also a fourth, ifth, sixth, seventh, eighth or more sites. Producing can occur at any nunber of these Sites, hi ome embodiments, prior to producing ethanol from biomass" at the first and/or second site with the system, the system is assembled For example, the producing ethanol frorn biomass can include contacting the biomass 15 with one or more microorganisms, such as a one or more species of yeast and/or bacteria, disposed in the fermenter. Combinations of different organisms may be used, e.g, combinations of yeast and bacteria or different species of yeast ur batia. For example, the one or more microorganisms can include one or more genetically engineered bacteria 20 In another aspect, the invention features methods of producing energy from biomass that include proaeing a first energy source from biomass at a first site with a reactor or a converter; transporting the reactor or a converter to a second. site; and producing a. second enery source froim bionmass at the second site with the reactor or a converter, In som embodnCits, the first and second energy sources are the sae. 25 For cxamnple; th energy source can be an achLi, such as ethanol or n-butano, gasoline hydrcarbons. hydrogen, natural gas, biodiesel electricity or mixtures ofly ofw these. n specific embodiments, the energy source is or includes an alcohol, such is ethanoL In another aspect, the invention features methods of producing products from biomass that include producing a first product from bioinass at a first site with reactor or a converter; 30 transporting the system to a second site; and producing a second product from. biom ass at the second site with the reactor or a converter. 9 In some einbodimients, product of products can be made in a mobile facilityand then finished in a ixed facility, esg fixed production facility. For example e the unfinished product or products can be transported by a vehicle e .g. a train anid/or a ship. or another conveyance method, such as pipes, Combinations of these conveyance methods can be utilized. 5 In some embodimnents, the first aid second products are their same. In some cmbodimers, the first or second products include ethanol and/or n-butanoi, For example, product can he ethanol, mibutanol, hydrocarbons. gasoline, natural gas, miethane, blodiesel h hydrogen, electricity, polymers, nutrients, proteins, biomolecules, phannaceuticals, pharmaceutical products, fertilizer or mixtures of any of these. 10 In sone embodiments, the first or second products include one or more biomolecules: For example, the biomoleculek can be a nucleic acid, a protein, a lipid, a steroid, a natural product, a intabolic product, a nucleotide, a fat, an amino acid, a peptide or mixtures of any of these in anotier aspect, the invention features methods of producing products from hiomass, 15 eg celluosic or lignocellulosic materials, the include producing a first product from bionass a' a first site witl a reactor, the first site being located on a body of water; transporting the reactor to a second site also on the body of water; and producing a second product from biomass at the second site with the reactor. In such aspects, 0 tbiomnass can obtained from the body of water, 20 For example, the biomass can be plankton, aquatic plants, algae, seaweed or mixtures of these, in another aspect. the invention features methods of producing products from biomass that include producing a first product from biomass at a first site with a actor or converter; transporting die reactor or converter by a first mode to a second site; producing a second 15 prodet from biomass at the second site with the reactor or converter; and transporting the reactor or converter by a second mode different than the first mode to a third site. Definitions "Bioethanoli The term "bloethanol" refers to ethanol produced partially or entirely from biomass. in certain embod.ments, bioethanol is produced by fermentation of sugars 30 derived from bionass. The term bioethanol is used interchangeably herein withe tern 10 ethanol. "Biomass": The term "biomass" refers to any material or combination of materials that can be used in the production system to produce energy (a edhano' hydrocarbns gasoline, natural gms, methane, biodiese, and hydrogen gas), eltAriciy plastics, p mer nu t ents 5 human and anIal), proteins, biomolecules, pharmaceuticals (human and veterinary; e.g a. drugs and medicines), Fertilizer, or other products. In eertin embodiment, sugars or other organic compounds from the biomass are converted into ethanol (eg, by Iermentation). -mplay biomass includes crops (e.g,, cor, sugar cane, sugar beets) tr;es, shrubs, grasses, p~i-lakton (e.g, phytoplankton, zooplankton. bacteriopiankton) algae m acroalgae (e.g species 10 from the genus Sargassmn), seaweed, agricultural waste (e g branches, com husks, bushes, and weeds), synthetic materials, synthetic plastics, industrial waste, recycled waster, municipal solid waste, synthetic waste, human waste, animal waste, commercial organics (eg, beveragLe industry was 'e, cheese, whey, dairy waste, food processing waste, lumber and industrial wood waste, pulp and paper facility waste, restaurant waste. fabrics, cotton, wool, and linen). 15 castruetion and demolition debris, waste paper (e.g old newspapers, old corrugated contners mixed paper, pulp subsitutes, computer printouts, white office paper, and printing pLnt scraps). yard waste (e'g leaves twigs, grass, plant cuttings, branches, trees, and vines), Biomnass includes both virgn biomass and non-virgin. biomiass, Bioecule; The term "biomolecule" refers to any chemical compound that can be 20 produced by a cell o organism. In certain embodiments, the cell is wild type and has not been ll enginere by the hand of man. In other embodiments the cell has been aterd by the ha3d of man. Exemplary biomoleules include nucleic acids, proteins lipids steroIs, niura poducts, metabolic products, nucleotides, nucleosides fats amino acids, and peptides, "Comnponents": The term "component" refers to any part of a biomass conversion 25 Iiit The component may be of any size o shape. It may include one or multiple pieces of eguipmnt used in the energy production or biomass conversion process; In certain embodiments, the component includes several pieces of equiment~ It may optionally include piping or wiring and may optionally include hookups so that it can be connected wih other components or infrastructure at the site; In certain embodiments, the component is 30 transportable by air, water, or land. Exemplary components compose one or more of the fbliowing: pre-processing means for the biomass, nilis, ixers, pumps, wirin, cookers 11 heating means, cooling means, aeration means, cooling containers, holding containers. fermenters, distillation apparatuses, columns, piping, transfer conltainrs, and mixing containers, In Certin embodiments, the components are for the modular assembly of an ethanol pmduction :aciity 5 "Dehydraion": The tern "dehydration" refers to removing water front a material In certain enbodiments. dehydration refers to removing vater from the ethanol produced by the system. 'I hc resulting ethanol may be free of ethanol, or L 2, 3, 4, or 5% water may remain in thmn certain embodiments, the ethanol after dehydration includes less than 1% water, The ethanol may be dehydrated using any means known in the art including distilation. 10 azeotroping, or snmocular sieves Denturedtan": The term "denatured alcohol" refers to ethanol that has been mixed with another material to inake it ufit for human consumption. Innmostjurisdictions, the 1s of ethanL as a pure subsance or in the fhnn of alcoholic beverages, is heavily taxed, In order to relieve nonbeverage industries of this tax burden, govemmens specify vormulations 15 for denatured alcohol, which consists of ethanol blended with various additives to render it unlit for human consumption These additives, also known as denaturants, are either toxic and/or have an unpleasant taste or odor. Denatured ethanol formulations intended for a particular use (e..g, use as a fuel additive) contain denaturants chose-n sa not to interfere wi"th that use, 20 "Distillalion": The tern "distillation" refers to a process of purifirg the ethanol from the f ermented mash. The distillation process typically involves a change or state froin a liquid to a gas and subseqan condensation as a means of purification. "Energy The term "enr gy inchides any energy source that can be produce Irom biomass Thec energy produced froam biomass is typically organic compounds The energy can 25 be burned to produce heat which can be used to produce electricity or power a vehicle for example, in certain embodiments, the energy is ethanol. In other embodiments, the energy is alcohol. In other embodimnents, the energy is hydrocarbons. In certain embodiUments, the energy is fats, hr certain embodiments, the energy is taty acids. in other emrbodimnents, the energy is acetic acid. In other embodiments, the energy is gasoline, in certain embodiments, 30 the energy is a mixture of organic compounds, In certain embodiment5 the energy is in natural gas. In certain embodiments, the energy is hydrogen. gas, In certain embodiments, the energy 12 is methane gas. in certain enmbodiments, the energy is biodiesel in certain embodiments, the energy is eiectricitv, tihanol": The term "ethanol" Tefers to the chemical compound, CH 3

CH

2 OH, Ethanol -s also referred to as grain alcohoL Ethanol is a flammable, tasteless, colorless, mildly toxic 5 chemical compounds with a distinctive odor. The term ethanol may refer to any degree of purity of edanol In certain embodiments, the ethanol is at least 50%, 60%, 70% 80%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% pure In some cases. the ethanol is 100% pure. In other cases, the ethanol Sdenatured with i-l0% 'r 25% other solvents (e g., methanol, isoprpan gaso'ine, hexanes pentane) to nake it unfit for human consumption. In certain einbodiment, the 10 ethanol is mixed with water. In other embodiments, the ethanol is anhydrous (e.g. after a dehydrattio step), "Fcrnmentation"; The term "fermentation" refers to the process of converting sugars to ethanol or any other desired products including energy (e.g, hydrocarbons, gasoline, natural gas, methane, biodiesel, and hydrogen gas), electricity, plastics, polymers, nutrients (human 15 and animal), proteins, biomnolecules, pharmaceuticals (human and veterinary; e.g. drugs and medicines); and fertilizer In certain embodiments, the term fernentation refers to the process of making organic molecules useful as an energy source from biomass. ermentaon is typically performed by nicroogamisms such as bacteria or yeast The fermentation process for ethanol is typically performed in an oxygen-defcient atmosphere to prevent the father 20 cxidation of the desired ethanol to acetic acid. As defined hertia a "fermentor, reactor or a converter" is a device iat is capable of holding at least about 1000 gallons of material, such as a cellulosic and or lignocelulosic material., a microorganism and a solvent, such as water. i some embodiments, the fermenter, reactor or converer is capable of holding greater than about 2,000 gallons of material, greater 25 than about 2,500 gallons, grcter than about 5,000 gallons, greater than abiot 10,000 gallons, greater than about 25 000 gallons, greater than about 50,000 gallons, or even greater than about 100 000 gallons All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporatedby reference in their entirety for all that they contain. 30 Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims. 13~ DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS I, is a block diagrm that schematically illustrates methods of producing various products, such as ethanol or nibutanol. Fig, 2is ao view of a rotarv knife cutter, 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION Described herein are mobile and/or sml1-scale (e.g. less than 1~5 million salons per 10 year) systems for producing energy (e g, ethano hydrocarbons, gasoline, natural gas methane Nodioese, and hydrogen gas), electrcity, plastics, polymers, nutrients (huin and animam proteins, biomnoleciespharmaccuicals (human and veterinary; y g, drugs and medicines), fertilizer o other products including processes, facilities, and components of the acilt for producing the desired product, from biomass. The systems eim-ninate or at least 15 reduce the ied for transporting the starting material bionass, which can be, cg of a low bulic density to a stationary large-scale production facility, It also may reduce the need to transport the desired product produced by the mobile facility a Iong distance to its en iser or a distribution facility. The sysen for producing the desired product alows for the processing cf biomass that ordin"rily would not be conceal viablee fr conversion to energy(, 20 ethanol, hydrcarbons, gasoline, natural gas methane, biodiesel, and hydrog gas) elctricity, plastics, polmers, nutrients (human and animal), proteins, biomolecule pharmaceuticals (human and veterinary; e.g, drugs and medicines), fertilizer, or other products due to transportation, processing, or other costs. The system makes the production of energy g. ethanol, hydrocarbons, gasoline, natural gas, methane, biodiesel, and hydrogen gas). electricity, 25 plastics polymers, nutrients (human and animal), proteins, biotoiecules, ph armiaceuticals (human and veterinary; e. drugs and medicines), fertilizer, or other products more economical by reducing the costs, particularly the transportation costs, of producing the desired product. Production facilities that are contihgured in such a way that it or its various components 30 can be easily transported by land, sea, air, or a combination thereof2 in certain embodiunents, the materials and equipment need to produce desired product from biomass arc compactly 14 organized so that it or its components can be transported by a car, truck, tractor trailer, railroad, boat, barge, aiplane, helicopter, or combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the facility or its conponents may be limited in size depending on how the facility or its components ar transported. For example a facIlity or component being transported by tractor trailer will need 5 to fit on the bed of a truck or trailer for transport Referring to Fig 1, metbods, of producing products, such as h o nbutanol, from bionass., celulosic or lignocellulosic material, include producing a first product at a first site with a system that includes a reactor or converter, e.ga fermen .he system is transported, to a second site, and then a second product is produced from biomna ss at the second 10 site with the system. Any number of sites may be utilized, For example, the number of sites can be 2, 3 4 5, 6, or more, e.g., ,20 30, 50, 100 or more, e.g., 1000. For examopte, a site may foxm part of a complex or a campus, and portions of the complex or ca ns may be jo d by various manufacturing infrastructure, such as rai. 15 Spacng between a firstsite and a second site can be reltively smnai! or relatively large. For exarnple th sites can be physically beside each other. For example, the system can be carried by a moving tra ind producing ethanol while moving in othe embodiments, the first site and second site are spaced apart by a distance of about 10 miles or more, e.g, about 25 miles or more, about 35 or mire, aboit 65 miles or more, 20 about 85 miles or more, about 100 or more, about 200 miles or more, about 300 or oiure, or even about I miles or more. in some embodimnts, the fermentor, reac t or or converter can hoid between about 1,000 gallons arid about 100,000 gallons of material, e., between about 2,500 ga lions and about 100,000 gallons, or between about 5,000 gallons and about 75,000 gallons 25 In certain emnbodiments the mobile systems or one or more of its components for producing the desired product is transported by laud. When the mbiie facity or its components is transported by roads, it preferably oiplies with all applicable laws goveming the roads of thatuntiy state, province. county or city, in the U. aiesb transported by land using highways and roads may comply with all federal, state, and oa laws and 30 regulations. in certain embodiments, the mobile facility being transported by a tractor trailer is no larger than 8 feet 6 inches wide and no longer than 57 feetin length. In certain 15 embodimnents, the facility is no wider than 8 feet 6 inches and nlner than 53 feet, In Crtai embodiments, the faciity is no wider than 8 feet 6 inches and no longer than 48 feet In certain ernbodimenis, the facility is no wider than 8 feet 6 inches an no longer than 20-24 feet in length, The height of the vehicle may vary depending on the obstacles on th road the facility 5 s being transported via. However, typicalv the facility is less than 15 teet in height, In certain emboients, it is less tian 14 feet. a aginht, in certain einbodiments, the facility is ansprted by a double tractor trailer in which case the total length for the combination is no greater than 75 feet In certain embodiments. the total length of the double is no greater than 65 feet in crtain emibodiments, the gross combination weight of the vehicle with the mobile 10 facility or one or more of its comnponent(s) is no greater than 80,000 pounds in=ertain embodiments, the tacilit or a component thereof fits into a standard container used for shipping by tractor tra ler As would be appreciated by one of skill in this art, the components of the facility may be transported by more than one land vehicle or mawy be transported by a land vehicle and a combination of land, water, and air vehicles, In certain emobodimients, 15 components that are not suitable for tran sport by water or air are transported by land, in certain embodiments, components for which w water and/or air transportation arc not economical are transported by kand. However, it is appreciated that in certain embodiments land transportation of the facility or its components is not feasible or is not possible (e.g due to lack of passable roads). 20 In certain embodiments, the mobile production facility or some of its components are small enough to he transported by a car, sport utility vehicle (SUV), or pickup truck, in certain enoodiments, tl ficity or its components are transported on a trailer pulled by a car SUV, or pickup truck The mobile facility or its various components can also transportable by railroad. In 25 certati embodinents, the facility to be transported by rail is no wider than 14 feet. In other embodirmentsthe facility is no wider than 13 feet 6 inches. In still othr embodiments, the aity is no wider than 13 feet. In certain embodaiments, the facility IS o wider than 12 feet 6 inches. Th width clearance of the facility including its outer container will depend on the railways bng used to transport the facility; In certain embodiments the minunrm width of 30 12 feet 6 inches or 13 feet is used to accommodate all railways the facility could possibly travel along. The length of the facility is no longer than 60 feet, In embodiments, the length 16 oift;he facility is less than 60 feet In certain embodiments, the length is app roximately v58 feet. in other embodiments, the length is approximately 59 feet approximately 57 feet or 56 feet. The height of the facility is tvpicaliy less than. 23 eet; In certain embodiments, the height is less than 22 feet In other embodiments the height is less than 21 5 feet. In certain embodimentsi the height is less than 20 feet. In certain embodiments, the -facility or a component thrcof fits into a standard container used for shipping 1 railroad, in yet other cmbodiments, the height is less than 19 feet. The weight of the ality ypically does not exceed 200,i000 pounds, in certain embodiments, whetn a larger mobile production facility is needed, the facility is transported using more than one railroad car where efach 0 railroad car includes a component. These components are then assembled into an operational facility at the desired site. In certain embodiments, the facility is assembled on a rail road track, set of tracks, or spur In certain embodiments, the facility comprises t-i0 railroad cars, In cedatn embodimnts, the facility composes 1-5 railroad cars, in certain embodiments, each step or a comination of steps of th process of paoducing ethano: is pefo m a 15 separate car In certain embodiments, the equipment eor performing one or more Steps is combined into one car Various components of the facility may also be brought to the site for assembly 'by other land transportation, air transportation, or water transportation. Any combination of transporting nodes can be utilized. For example, the systems can be transported by Iand, and then by water, or by air and then by land. 2U For example, the products such as ethanol can be produced during transportation or after transportation When the facility or its components are transported by water the facility is otionally within the allowed limits of the vessel transporting the facility or componen-s These limits include length. width, height, and weight limits of the vessel transpoftin the facity. As will 25 be appreciated by one of skill in this art, the size of the facility will greatly depend on the size of the vessel transporting the facility or its Component(s). Larger ships and barges can transport a much larger ethanol production facilities than smaller boats. When the facility or its components) are transported by water, the facility may be assembled on a barge dock, wharf. platform, derek, rig, sand bar; and islad In certain embodiments the facilty or a 30 component thereof fits into a standard container used for shipping by water, in certain embodiments, the facility is assembled on a flotation device. Various components of the 17 facility may be brought to the site for the facility by land or air as well as by water. Facilities on the water or close to the water facilitate the use of aquatic biomass such as plankton, algae, and aquatic plants in the production of the desired product, Similarly when the facility is transported by air, the faciity or ts component(s) are 5 Optionay ivvv'in the allowed limits of the aircraft transporting the facility. These limits include length,; idth, height, and weight limits of the aircraft transporting the facility, in certain enibodiments, the aircraft is an airlane. The airplane may be a propeler driven plane jet, a cago plane, a military plane, and a commercial aliner In certain embodiments the aircraft is a helicopter: In certain embodiments, the aircraft will transport 10 thC facility or the component hanging from the airenift In crtain enibditnments, the acuityy or a component theraof fits into a standard container used ior sipping by air, The facility or component may fand with the aircraft and be unloaded from the aircraft for use a the facility or component may be used while on board the aicraf' In certain embodiments, the facility or c' nponent is dropped from the air to the site where it is to be used. In certain 15 embodiments, the facility or component includes paraChutes or other fading device for a safe landing of the facihty T he facility may also include a float nation decvceo fr a water landing in certain momntthe facility or a c ponent thereof inmudes an mans for absorbing the innpact of te landing in certain embodiments, the facility or components is later mwovd by lamd, air, or water to a new site. In other embodiments, the facility or components are niot 20 moved and may be abandoned temporarily or permanently Various other components of an facility may be transported by land or water as well as air. 1T components may be assenibled into an operational facility at an airport landing strip, drop site, or any other land or water site, in certain embodiments, the facilities or any of its components are capable of being. 25 transported by any combination of air, land, and/or water transport. In certain en*mbodinients. the facility or its componlen's are transported by all three In other embodiments. the facility or its components are transported by had and water. In certain embodiment, the facility or its components are transported by land and air. In other enbodimients, the facility or its components are transported by air and water. In these cases, the vehide transporting the 30 facility or any of its components preferably meets the requirements (eglength, width height, and weight) of the mode of transportation being used. Given that the ethanol, 18 hydrocarbons, natural gas, or gasoline being produced are flammable, any applicable safety laws, rules, or regulations are preferably followed regarding the transport and production of a flammable liquids or gases In certain embodiments, equipment for handling spills, fires, and explosions is incorporate into the facility 5 In certain embodinnts. the facilities include at least one portalc coixnelt used in the production of energy (eg, ethanol, hydrocarbons, gasoline, natural gas, metl'e.; biodiesel, and hydrogen gas), electricity, plastics, polymers, nurients (human and ain), proteins, biornoecules, pharmaceuticals (human and veterinary'g eg drugan d medicines) fertilizer, or other products from bomass. The assembled facility as well asn components 10 of the facility are considered to be within ithe scope of the disiosure. A componeit-based facility allows for easy asscimbly of the facility, interchngeability, scalibility, and pre~ fabrication of the components, Breaking the facility into various components also facilitates the mobility aspect of the facility. In certain embodiments, ti facility is divided into two, three, four, five, six. seven, eight, nine, ten, or more coimiponents. Each components may 15 indude one or more Pieces of equipment with the necessary wiring, piping, drains, control systems heating and cooling means, stands. coupling devices, and outlets. in certain embodiments, the component include walls, roof, flooring, or other infrastructure for the component self, other components, or the entire facility, in certain cmbodiments, the component Includes a contained for easy Tansport of the component. The container may be 20 used in the production process (egas a mixing container or other vat). The sides, bottom, or top of the container may be used as the walls, floor, or roof of the shelter housing the facility or components thereof. In certain embodiments, each step of the production process is perforined in a separate component. That is, all the equipment for a step in the process is included in the component, 25 The various steps and equipment useful in the production of bioethanol froim biomass are descrbed herein, In other embodiments, a step may require equipment from one or nore components. in other embodiments more than one step of the production process is included in a cononent. One or more components of the faciity are assembled to produce an operable facility. The components arc typically assemnbled at a site prepared or the 30 installation, However, in certain embodiments, there is no preparation or infrastructure at the site. Instead, the facility or components are self-supporting. In certain einbodiments, the 19 components are assembled using a crane, fork lift, truck, or other moving device, which is optionatVdy i nuded in the system. In other embodiments, the comppnents are assembled Using only human labor, Tools may be used in the assembly of the facility. The site may include all the necessary infrastructure to make the facility operational I nfastructure nay S include Walls, roof, foundations floor, electricity, wing piing, see water an'd natural gas, in certain emodiments, the infrastructure is not mobile aid is sta t ionary When the facility or 'any of its components are moved, the nirastructure may left behind to potentialy be used again the future In certain embodiments, the infrastructure is used to assemble an production litv every month, every season, every year, or any time sufifient iomnass is 10 available at the site to supply the facility Ethanol production facilities that are smaller in scale than traditional ethanol production facilities, Ty pcally ethanol production facilities produce greater than 10-20 million gallons of ethanol pe" yea with some' facilities exceding 50 million gallons of ethano per year. The faidities produce less than 5 million gallons of ethanol or other energy source per year, In 15 certain embodiments, the facility produces less than I million gallons of ethanol or other energy source per year. In certain embodiments, the facility produces less than 0,5 million ganos o etano orothr eerg sorceper year, in certain embodiments, the facility gallons of eth-anol or other enery sourcepeyar produces less than 0.1 million gallons of ethanol or other energy so-urce pecr year. in certiani embodiments the faiiyproduces Iess than 0.01 million alons ot ethanol or otier energy 20 source per year In certain embodients, the facility produces less thain 0.00)1 million gallons of ethanol or other e energy source per vear, These facilities may be mobile or incl ude mobile components as described herein In certain embodiments, the tacility is stvionary; The amount of energy produced by a facility is sufficient to meet the de-ands o a factory, military base, small town, rual village, county, fara, and iand The smali size of the 25 facility allows for numerous facilities to be placed in a geographic region For example, a facility nay be paced in any areas where there is sufficier biornass feg, crops, waste) to supply the facility witil SnallerScale facilities closer to the biomass bcing processed by the system redce transporta t ion costs, and in certain cases, may allow ethnnl to be produced economically where it could not be produced econonically by large-sce facilities. 30 The bioethanoi production facilities can have all or some of the equipment necessary tor producing the desired product from blomass. The biomass used by the systerns include any 20 type o biomass. In certain embodiments, more conventional sources of biomass such as con, sugar beets, grais, sugar cane, or whey is used as the starting material In other embodnients less conventional sources of biomass are used including agricultural waste, algae, waste, ca human waste, In certain embodiments, the systems do not use corn. sugar 5 bets, o sugarie in certain embodiments. the systems do use con, in other ebdiments the system uses sugir beets or sugarcane, In certain embodimen's, the system is designed to use a vanityv of different types of biomass as starting matet l In other embodiments, the system is designed to use one type of biomass, In certain emubodiments. various components may be switched interchanged to allow for different types of biomass as starting materials 0 In certain embodimnts, the systems includes processes and apparatuses fbr pre processing the biomass. In certain embodiments, the biornass is sorted, In other embodiments, the biomass is cleaned. In other embodiments, the bionass is packed, in certain enbodiments, he bionass is compacted or compressed. In other enmbod aients, the biomass Is liquefied. In other embodiments, the biomass is dehydrated. The pre-processing 15 of the biomass may take place at the site of harvesting. the biomass, before transportation of the bioiass, ding the transportation, during storage of the bimnass or at the site of the energy production, Any equipment and methods used to pre-proess biomass fbr energy production ay be used. In certain embodiments, the pre-aprocessing means is considered to be part of the system 20 Th1c pwce's of producing energy (e.g. ethanol, hydr'ocarbons, gasoline, natural. gas, methanea biodiescl and hydrogen gas), electricity, plastics, polymers, nutrients humann and animal); proteins, biomolecules, pharmaceuticals (human and veterinary;ag, drugs and medicines) frtiizer or other products from biomiss can be broken down into several steps. The first involves grding the biomass into a fmne powder, chopping the biomass, shearing 25 the biomass, or otherise making the complex carbohydrates or other hiomoleues int hionss available fr further processing. In certain embodiments, the resuting biornass is then mixed with water and optionally microorganisms (2g bacteria), algae, enzymes, acid, base, or chemical rcagent, The mixture is then optionally heated in a cooker or other apparatus to facilitate the break-down of complex sugars (c c ellulose, starch) into 30 fermentable, simpler sugars (eJg gucose). This step may also facilitate the breakdown of other bionoiecules or cellular structures such as lipids, protein, nucleic acids, steroids, 21 natural products, cell wall, cell membrane, and intracellular membranes. The resulting miuxture, comnt ly known as the mash, is then femiented with the addition of a ricroorganism such as yeast. In certain enbodiments, other genetically engineered nmieroorgaisms are used in the fermentation process The ,micoorganis.ns may be 5 particularly suitable for fermenting or converting the biomass used in the process into the desired product The ermenttion/conversion process is continued until most the sugars or other starting materials in the fermentation have been conveted to ethanol or other desired product. In certain mnbodiments, co-products such as carbon dioxide, proteins, polymers, nurients, fertize or biomolecules are produced during the process, These may be 10 collected, purified, packaged, and or sold. The ethanol or other desired product is then optionally separated from the liquid, solid waste, and side products This is typically done by distillation; however, other means of separating or puryin', can aso be usod (e g. column chromatography extraction, chromatogriphy, and crystallization The distilled ethanol or other liquid energy source may still contain water so the desired product is optionally 15 dehydrated, In certain embodiiments, the desired product (eg., ethanol) is dehydrated by running i over a substance that absorbs the remaining water such as molecular sieves. Once the desired products. ethzano) is purified to the desired degree of purity and water is removed. the desired product, particulady ethanol, is optionally denatured maing it unfiit for human consumption, The denaturation process is performed by, missing the purified ethanol 2.0 xwith 15% ot gasoine or other organic solvent (e. methanol acetone, isopropanol, ard hexanes),t \ n wste can be discarded In certain embodiments, the resulting distillers grain is used as livestock feed or as a fertilizer. Carbon dioxide also is produced as a by-product in the fermentation process, The carbon dioxide may be collected and sold, Other products such as polyiners, protein, lipids, or other biomolecules are side products nay be collected, 25 packaged, and/or sold. In certain embodiments, tor example, when bioethanol is being produced frain biomass, the facility or a component thereof includes a fermenter aid distillation apparatus, In other embodiments, the production facility or component thereof also includes a cookr The facility may also include a mill for grinding the bionass into smaller particles, The facility 30 may also contain equipment such as columns for further purifying and dehydrating the ethanol after distillation. 1n certain embodiments, the facility also includes containers and 22 mixing equipment for denaturing the produced ethanol. In certain embodiments, the various equipment is interconnected using piping to easily transfer the product from one step into equipment for performing thc next step. As needed, the various equipment used in tie process is fitted with heating and cooling means. 5 The press beg ins with biomass, Tyhe biomass used byv the system' may be cany bioms suitable for producing ethanol or any other desired product. In certain e.nbodients, the bionass is high starch or high sugar agricultural crops such as com, sugar cane, suw and beets, The facilities are particularly useful and economical in converting crops to bietbanol because the can arrive or be assembled at the site when the erops (or other biomass) art 10 ready for processing and then leave or be disassembled when the crops (or other biomass) have been processed. in certain embodiments, the biomnass includes materials that contain ceilulose, hemicellulose, lignin., protein, starch, and/or sugar. In certain embodiments, the biomass include plant matter such as trees, shrubs, grasses, weeds, agricultural crops, and agricultural waste in certain e nbodiments, the bioma ss incIudes aqatic biomass for 15 exaWle plankton, aquatic plants, and algae. Aquatic biomass is particularly suitable for being processed by the production ficilitics that are transported on water in certain emrbodiments the biomass is municipal waste, waste paper; and yard waste. A production faciiiy may routineV? trael to a particular area to convttil its waste to ethanol or another desired product, or the facility may be assembled at a particular site. in other embodhments, 20 the bionass is human waste, The initial phases of sizing, milling, chopping. cutting, shearing, washing, quefication, and/or saccharification of the biomass are performed by the facility or components thereof in some embodiments In other embodiments, these steps or some of th'se steps are not performed by the facility or components thereof. 25 In certain embodiments, the biomass is mechanically broken down. For exampiein certain enbodinents, the sizing, milling, chopping cutting, shearing, washing, or other pre processing of the biornass for fermentation or conversion is not performed by the facility or components thereof, and the resulting processed biomass (also known as the meal) is the starting material used by the facility or a component thereof In certain embodiments, the 30 failiV 0r a component thereof processes the biomass to aflow tr nicrooganismns or chemical to act on the carbohydrates in the biomass. This may include breaking down ccli 23 membranes, breaking down cells wails, increasing the surface area, breaking down macrostmectures in the bioinass. In certain embodiments, the biomass or cellulose in the bionass is texturized or opened up as described in U3. Patents 5,952,105; 5,973,035; 6,207,729; 6,258,876; 6,448,307; 5 7,074,918; each of which is incorporated herein by reference; and published U.S, patent applications 20050084671 20050090577; 20050200050; each of which is incorporated nerein by reference: This process opens up the fibers ini tle biass for further pressing 'by chemicIls and microoganisms added to the processed bionass in subsequent steps. The procs ncrae the surfatce area where mnicroorganisms or cheinicals can work 10 Refering to Fig 2, a rotary knife cutter 20 includes a hopper 22 that can be loaded vith a shredded fiber source 10' prepared by shredding fiber source 10. Shredded fiber source 10' is sheared between statlonary blades 24 and rotating blades 26 to provide a first fibrous material 12. First fibrous material 12 passes through scre 16, and eth resulting second fibrous mateial 4 is captured in bin 30. To aid in th collection f the second fibrous 15 rmateril 4, bifl 30 car ha've a pressure below nominal atmospheric pressure, .g, -at Least 10 percent belowa nominal atmospheric pressure, e~g at least 25 percent below noinal atmospheric pressure, at least 50 percent below nominal atmospheric pressure, or 'it least 75 percent below nominal atmospheric pressure. In som embodiments, a vacuum source 50 is utilized to maintain the bin below nominal atmospheric pressure 21) in cerain embodiments, the biomass is mixed with water and optionally enzymes, mcroorganims ( g bacteria, , yeast) algae, other organisms, chemical reagents. or a combination tlhereof This step breaks down the cellular structures, sugars, and biomoleceules of the bioiass before its conversion into the desired product. in icrtain embodiments the bion ass is nixed With a microorganism that aids in the breakdown of the iomass. The 25 microorganismn rmay be genetically engineered, In certain embodinents, the biomass is mixed with n agae that aids in the breakdown of the biormss. The resuming ixire nay be heated, cooled, and mixed to effect the desired changes to the biomass. In certMin embodients, the biomass is substani liquefied resulting in a nash ibeforc it is transferred to ti facility or a component thereof, in still other emhodimnents, the compl.x sugars in the 30 mash are broken down into simpler, fermentable sugars, and the resulting mash is transferred to the facility or a component thereof for processing. 24 Once the bionass or a processed form of the biomass (e.g. the meal, the mash, opened and fiber) enters the facility or component thereof, it is further proceed to form etfanOi or any other desired product. in certain embodiments, he facility or a coomponent pre-processes, liquelies, and converts the complex sugars in the muash to simpler sugars. In other S enibodiments the facility or a component thereof lquefies and converts tie complex sugars to simpler sugars for distillation, In still other embodiments, the complex sugar in the mash are converted to simpler sugars in the facility or a component thereof This conversion process is effected by enzymes such as amylase or cellulase, acid (e~g. sulfuric acid) microorganisms, and/or heat. The conversion process breaks down complex sugars such as cellulose and 10 starch to simiper 5- or 6- carbon sugars such as glucose. Once tie mash with the broken down sugars is obtained either through processing inside or outside the fa&cilitv the fermentation/conversion process is begun. In certain emtbodiments the mash is frmented to produce ethanol. The fermentation process is typically begun by bringing the mash to a particular temperature 'or example, between 30 and 45 C In certain embodiments, the fermentation takes place at approximately 3{}*C 0 In certain embodinsts, the pH1 of the mash is adjusted to apprmximately piH 6-8, preferably approximately 31H 775, In certain embodiments, the fermentation is carried out in an oxygen-depleted atmosphere, A femnenting nicroorganism is then added to the mash, In certain enbodiments, the fermenting microorginni is yeast. In other embodiments; the 20 frmntming microorganisn is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In certain eibodients, the fermenting organism is Schizosaccharomyces pombe. In other embodiments, the microrganim i Zymomonas mobilis. In other enbodiments, the microorgnism is Etheichi cm coli; in certain embodinents, the inicrorganism is a genetically enineered organism Examp'es of genetically engineered termenting organisn .useful iM the production 25 of bioethan. are. described in U Patents 6,699,6%; 6 06 63; 5,162,516; 54' 2839; 5,000,000; 4,40,47; ea ch of which i incorporated hein by reference. In certain embodiments, the fermentation mixture is kept at a constaatineperature and pH during the fermentation process, The fermentation typically lastI fom 24 hours to 500 hours. In certain enbodiments, the fermentation lasts from 50-200 hours, In certain other embodiments, the 3) erIentation last from 1 00-2O0 hours. As would be appreciated by ocne o skill in this art, the 25 biomnass, microorganism, temperature ad other conditions used in the fennentation will determne the length of thn needed to convert, the bioinass to ethanol In other e'nbodiments, the processed biomass or mash is converted into another energy source besi ethano1 (eg, y gasoline, hydrocarbons, hydrogen gas, natural gas, biodiesei. ann S electricity) or another desired product or co-product. i conv version is affected by microorganisms. In certain eimbodimnts, the iucroorgawnis are genetically engineered. In certain particular emibodiments, the nicroorganisms are gereticahy engineered to produced the desired product. For example, in certain embodiments, the nicroorgaisms are designIed to produce natural gas or hydrogen gas from biomass. In other embodiments, the 10 microorganisms are designed to produce gasoline or hydrocarbons from biomass. In other emubodiments, the processed biomass or mash is converted into other desired products such as plastics, polymers, and nutrients.. This conversion is effected by microorganisms in certain enboients, the microorgranisms are geetically engineered. in certain particular embodiments, the microorganisnis are genetically engineered to produced 15 the desired polinmer. In certain embodiments, the microorganisms are designed to produce nutrients. In certain embodiments, the desired product is removed as it is produced, In other embodinents, lie desired product is purified from the fermentationiconversion aher the fermentatinconersion is stopped. In the production of bioethanol, after the fiermenation 20 step is complete- the frmnrted mash (also unow. as beer) contains anywhere fion 5% to 20% ethanol n some embodiments. the ethanol is removed as it is produced The ethanol is purified frn ricthe , water, and soihds by distillation. The distillation process involves vaporizing the ethanol and then recondensing it into liquid orm again. The purity of the ethanol obtained from the distillation can be increased by repeatedly distilling the resulting ethanol uin the desired purity is achieved. The ethanol may be further purifed by removing any remaining watcr using a dehydration step, In certain eibodiments the ethanol is passed over a material which absorbs water such as molecular ccs i certain embodiments; the ethanol is distilleod or azeotroped to remove most of the water from the ethanol. Sniiarly, if a diherent desired product is produced than ethanol, it can similarly he purified from the 30 converted biomass. Preferably. as much of the desired product is produced before the 26 conversion process is stopped in certain emibodiments, t'he desired product is drawn off as it ~s produ'ed, Analogously the facilities may produce 100% etanol or cthanoi of any desired state of puriy For examp lI the fality with its distillation appar ats may produce less than 100% 5 pIre ethanoL. In certain. eibodinents, the ethanol is at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98, or at least 99% pure. The ethanol, if desired, can then be turther purified and/or dehydrated outside the mobile facility In. certain embodiments, the facility produces pure ethanol that is subsequently denatured An organic solvent such as niethanol, isopropanol, hexanes, and gasoline. is added to the purified ethanol to produced denatuwed ethanol, which 1 is unfit fr human consumption. Exemplary denaturants iancude me&thanol, camphor, aldehydes, amyl alcohol, gasoline, isopropanol, terpineol benzene, castor oil, acetone. nicotine, acids kerosene, and diethyl phthalate, In ceraain embodiments I 10% of ogranic solvent is added to the ethanol, In other enabodnents, 1-5% of organic solvent is added. In certain emboditnents, 2~5% of gasoline is added to the ethanol to denture it 15 Any of the knowledge in the art of producing of ethan-from biomass may be used in the system' [or producing ethanol. Varus aspects of the process of producin ethanol from biomass are described in US Patents 7,070,967; 7,037,704; 7,037378; 7,033 81; 702,152; 7,022,894 6933404; 6,927048; 6,908,995; 6 861,248; 6,849,434 6 846,657; 6,803,218; 6,755;975; 6 737 257; 6,716,631; 6 703,227; 6,699696; 6,663;7806 660506; 20 6648930; 66053376596j1908 6,592,921; 6 $82,944; 6 '55,350 652831 1; 6,509,180 6.468,567; 6420;146; 6 387,554; 6,379,964; 6 372,269 6355 456; 65352,859 6,335J98; 6,335,177; 6,3,181; 6 326,204; 6,306,639; 6 287,62;6 280986; 6 267,309 6251,674; 6,224,915 6,136,5776 J30,076; 6107,093; 6 090,595 65054 6i I6 045660 6,001,568; 5,981A07; 5,975,439; 5 958,698; 5,932,456; 5t916,787; 5 916 780; 5892107; 5,882,905 25 5,69A01; 5,40,971; 5 821,093; 5,789,210; 5 779,164; 5 756 862; 5 735;916; 5 705,69; 5,677,154; 5,616,478; 5609723; 5,578,472; 5,571,703; s55903; 5 54520 5545543; 5,504,259; 5,503,996; 5,488,185; 5,487,989; 5,482,846 5 474 924; 5 470433; 5,424417; 5,424,202; 5,407,817; 5,397,436; 5,372,939; 5,345,477; 5 258 293; 23 1,017; 5,223,567; 5,186;722; 5,182;199; 5,135,861; 5,134,944; 5,106,634' ,5100 791; 5 086144; 5,081,285; 30 5,071,67;5,)063,155; 5,061,497; 5,047,332; 5, 028539;, 04 3 6 ; 50000; 4,985,355; 4,952,504; 4,952,503; 4;933,198; 4886,751; 4,885,241; 4,859,758; 4,840,903; 4,840,902; 2)7 4,830,964; 4,816,407; 4,816.399; 4,812,410; 4,808,527; 4,808,526; 4,790,238; 4,778,688; 4,769,324; 4,746,615; 4.746,610; 4,731,329; 4,661,643; 4 650,689; 4,647 534; 4,62803; 4 6286 4 604,352; 4,567,145; 4,560,659; 4,556,744; 4 541 897; 4,52 3928; 4,5 2920; 4,517 298 4 510,242; 4,507,505; 4,490,469; 4:490,468;4 48090; 4454 5';S 4,451,597; 5 4447 534 4,443,637; 4443,544; 4443,543; 4,442,210; 4,424t939; 4'4130058; 4,409,405; 4,405 815 4 403,034; 4,400,551; 4 400,470; 4 400,469; 4,395 488; 4 393 136; 4,386,009; 4,372,822; 4 358,536; 4,357,480; 4 356,262; 4,355,192; 4,355J08; 4 346 13; 4,335,207; 4,333,52; 4,328,375; 4,326,036; 4 ,321141; 4,317,884; 4,302,357; 4 301 312; 4301 253; 4 287,303; 4 273,621; 4,262,154; 4 255300; 4,253,987; 4,233,466; 4 220,803; 4168391; 10 4,164.445 4,139,509; 4 134,926; 4 094 42; each of whi incorporated hei"'n by reference; and publishedt US patent applications, 20060154844; 20060154353; 20060154342; 200601437,28 20060141594; 20060'41584; 20060134747; 20060121589; 2006012158 ; 20060 15779; 20060110812; 20060'10810;20060105443' 20060105442; 20060105440; '0060101540; 20060094080 )2060088922; '0060084156; 20060073220; 15 20060064786; 20060057692; 20060057691; 20060051847 20060043020, 20060035353;, 20060035346; 20060026715; 20060019400; 0060019360; 2006001484 20060014260 20060013765; 20060009537; 20060003408; 20050289670; 20050272134 2005026653 2005066540; 2005C266105 200502661020050260554, 2005025092; 20050244934; 20050244878 20015233031 20050226950; 20050214915; 20050214913; 20050214911; 20 20050214408: 20050198704; 20050181492; 20050176974; 20050170483; 20050158836; 20050142250 20050136525 20050136520; 20050124010; 20050115904; 20050115897; 20050112739; 20050109697; 20050107482; 20050106657; 20050 100996; 2005(074865; 20050069998; 20050069598; 20050065446; 20050064052; 20050061 13; 20050056600; 20050055874; 20050033045; 20050031719; 20050026261; 20050019932; 20050013901: 25 20050003025; 20040262161; 20040261145; 200402537 13; 20040231661; N2040229321; 20040225164; 20040204503; 20040197890: 2004019416'; 20040191375; 20'04085543 20040185542; 20040152159; 20040121436; 20040116757; 200401.08085 '0040(26H9 20040094144; 20040091983; 20040087808; 20040082044; 20040081648; 20040081647 20010077090; 2.0040067550 20040060868; 20040060673; 20040058052 2004055041; 30 20040047799; 20040044087; 20040029238; 20040011258; 20040000521; 2.0030236311; 20030235881.; 20030222021; 2003021.9512; 20030211585; 20030204988; 20030199072; 28 20030199049; 20030194788; 20030186402; 20030180900: 20030175903; 20030170861; 20030170'330; 20030166179; 20030162851; 20030162271; 20030157675; 20030153059; 20030i48309 20030143704; 20030119006; 2003011.5792; 20030114331'; 20030113735; 20030113734; 200,30113732; 20030100807; 20030094416; 20030087381;.20030077771; 5 2003(Y)12822, 20030068415; 20030054535; 20030054500; 20030049867; 20030046724; 20030044499; 2003004495; 20030041982; 20030019736; 20030 i 063; 20030)08363; 200300C8362; 20030006191; 20021097686; 20020197688; 201 2;1617; 200201 92374; 20020188965; 20020188459; 20020164731; 20020164730; 6 9 20020159990; 20020V15583; 20020153317; 200201424 10 2002132350; 200201045 18; 20020094575; 10 20020091165; 20020081677; 20020069987; 20020062594; 20020061561; 20020055 135: 20020042 111; 20020037564; 20020034816;20020026744; 20020023278; 20020015871: 20010024796; 200X10023034; 20010006795; each of which is incorporated herein by reference OTHER EMBODIMENTS 15 A number of embodiments of the invention have been described, Neverthelesst it will be understood that. various inodifiwations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope f the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are wJithin the scope of the following caims. 29

Claims (15)

1. A method of producing ethanol from biomnss comprising producing ethanol from biomass at a first site Nith a fermenter; transporing the fermentter to a second st; and producing ethanol from biomass at the secondsite with the fermenter. 2 The method of claim 1 wherein the biomass is selected from the group coasisting of Cellulosic material, lignocellulosic material, corn, sugar cane, sugar beets, trees, shrubs, grasses, phytoplankton, zooplankton algae, macroalgae, seaweed, corn husks, bushes, lumber, wood waste, pulp, cotton, wool, linen, paper, newspapers, corrugated containrs mixed paper; computer printouts, white office paper, printing plant scraps, leaves, cw igs, grass, plant cuttings, branches, trees. vines sewage, agricultural waste, and nixtues thereofi 3, The method of claim I or 2, wherein transporting is performed with a nautical vessel, A. The method of claim 3. wherein the nautical vessel is a boat, a barge, a ship, a dock, a floating platform, a sea platform, or a sea rig. S. The method of cla-ir I or 2 wherein trvnsportingy is performed with a land vehicle. 6 The method of claim 5, wherein the land vehicle is a car, truck, tractor trailer or train. The method of claim I or 2, wherein transporting is performed with an airborne vehicee

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the airborne vehicle is a plane, helicopter or bimp. 9 The method of claim 1 or 2. wherein transporting is performed by more than a single mod t0. The method of claim 9, wherein the transporting is performed by a land vehicle and a water vehicle,. 30 IL The method of any one of the above claims, wherein producing is performed while transporting,

12. The method of any one of the above claims, wherein the fermenter forms part of a system the system. comprising a component selected from the group consisting of cutters, shearing devices, neasurig devices, flow devices, mills, mixers, punps, wiring, cookers\ heaters, coolers acrators, containers, holding containers, distillation columns, piping, a components energy Sources, sewage sources, water sources, and mixtures theeof

13. The imthod of any one of the above claims, wherein the first site and second sitc are spaced apart by a distance of about 25 miles or more,

14. The method of any one of the above claims, wherein the first site and second site are s.paed apart by a distance of about i10 miles or more. 15 The method any one of the above claims, wherein producing ethanol from biomass at the first and/or second site comprises hydrolyzing the biomass, and then fermenting the biomass. 16, The method of any one of the above claims, further compiling transporting the system to a third site, and then producing ethanol at the third site

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising transporting the fermenter to a fhuth site, and. then producing ethanol at the fourth site, 18, The method of any one of claims 1 1, wherein prior to producing ethanol from biomass at the first and/or second site with the fermenter, the fermenter is assenbled as part of a system,

19. The method any one of the above claims, wherein producing ethanol from biomass comprises contacting the biomass with one or more microorganisms disposed in the Lermenter,

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more nicroorganisms comprises one or more 31 genetically engineered bacteria. 21 A mtuhod of producing energy from hiomass, comprising: producing a first cneray source from biomass at a first site with a fermenter, reactor or a converter transporting the lermenter reactor or a converter to a second site; and producing a second energy source from biomass at the second site with the fermenter, reactor or a converter.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first and second energy sous'e are the same.

23. The method cf claim 21 or 22, wherein the energy source is selected from the group consisting of akohols, ethanol, n-butanoigasoline, hydrocarbons, hydrogen-atural gas, biodiesel, ectricity, and mixtures thereof

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the energy source composes ethanol 25 A. method of producing a product from biomass, comprising: produciniga first product from biomass at a first site with a reactor or a conveter: transpxrtig lie reactor or a converter to a second site; and producing a second product from biomass at the second site with the reactor or a converter.

26. The method of clain 25, wherein the first and second products are the same.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the first or second products compise ethanol. 2. The method of claim 25 wherein the first or second products are selected from the group consisting of energy, ethanol, n-butanol, alcohols, hydrocarbons, gasoline, natural gas, methane, biodisel hydrogen, electricity, polymers, nutrients, proteins, biomolecules, pharmaceuticals, phannaceutcal products, fertilizer, medial products, chemical products, and mixtures thereof. arocuc32

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the first or second products comprise one or more biomolecules selected from the group consisting of nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, steoids, natural products, netabolic products, nucleotides, nucleosides, fats, amino acids, peptides, and mixtures thereof

30. A method of producing a product from biomass, comprising: producing a frst product from biomass at a first site with a reactor; the first sitebeing located on a body of water; transportig the reactor to a second site also on the body of water; and producing a second product -from bionass at the second site with the reactor. wherein the biomass is obtained from the body of water. 3 L The method of claim 30, wherein the biomass is selected from the group consisting of plakton, aquatic plants, algae, seaweed, and mixtures thereofl 32, A method of producing a product from biomass, composing: producing a frst product from biomass at a first site with a reactor or converter; transporing the reactor or converter by a first mode to a second site; producing a second product foim biomass at the second site with the reactor or converter; and transporting the reactor or converter by a second mode different than the first mrode to a third site. 33