| abstract |
Systems and processes that can form useful products using a variety of biomass materials. A method for processing a saccharide-containing material, comprising a step of irradiating a combination formed by combining a saccharide-containing material and an inorganic material, the irradiation using accelerated electrons. A process wherein the saccharide-containing material comprises a cellulosic or lignocellulosic material and the inorganic material comprises a metal or metal alloy; a refractory material; or a ceramic. Also, the process of combining sugar-containing materials and inorganic materials, where the electrons are accelerated to a speed greater than 75 percent of the speed of light, and the process of combining carbohydrate-containing materials and inorganic materials includes dry mixing or co-comminuting Wherein both materials are co-ground while cooling each material to a temperature below 25 ° C, optionally both materials are cooled to 0 ° C or below 0 ° C. [Selection figure] None |