PROCESS FOR TREATMENT OF BIOMASS FEEDSTOCKS
First Claim
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1. A method for continuously treating a moist biomass material, comprising:
- rupturing a biomass material by vaporizing a swelling agent to provide a first vapor stream;
drying the ruptured biomass material to provide a second vapor stream containing at least a portion of the swelling agent and moisture from the ruptured biomass material and a dried biomass;
condensing the second vapor stream; and
using the condensed second vapor stream to treat biomass material before the biomass material is ruptured.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for continuously treating a moist biomass feedstock is disclosed. The method includes treating a biomass feedstock with a swelling agent in a pressurized first vessel, transferring the feedstock to a second vessel at a lower operating pressure than the first vessel such that the biomass fibers rupture. At least portions the swelling agent, and/or the moisture are recycled in the process.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for continuously treating a moist biomass material, comprising:
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rupturing a biomass material by vaporizing a swelling agent to provide a first vapor stream; drying the ruptured biomass material to provide a second vapor stream containing at least a portion of the swelling agent and moisture from the ruptured biomass material and a dried biomass; condensing the second vapor stream; and using the condensed second vapor stream to treat biomass material before the biomass material is ruptured. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 22)
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2. A method for continuously treating a moist biomass material, comprising:
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rupturing a biomass material by vaporizing a swelling agent to provide a first vapor stream; condensing the first vapor stream; retaining the condensed first vapor stream in a storage tank; using the condensed first vapor stream to treat biomass material before the biomass material is ruptured; drying the ruptured biomass material to provide a second vapor stream and a dried biomass; condensing the second vapor stream; and using the condensed second vapor stream to treat biomass material before the biomass material is ruptured.
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3. A method for continuously treating a moist biomass material, comprising:
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contacting the biomass material with a swelling agent under a pressure sufficient to prevent vaporization of the swelling agent and for a time sufficient to allow the swelling agent to swell fibers within the biomass material; rupturing the biomass material by vaporizing the swelling agent to provide a first vapor stream; drying the ruptured biomass material to provide a second vapor stream and a dried biomass, condensing the second vapor stream; and using the condensed second vapor stream to treat biomass material before the biomass material is ruptured. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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8. A method for continuously treating biomass material, comprising:
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contacting the biomass material and a swelling agent in a first vessel under a pressure sufficient to prevent vaporization of the swelling agent and for a time sufficient to allow the swelling agent to swell fibers within the biomass material; and transferring the biomass material to a second vessel having a pressure sufficiently less than that of the first vessel such that at least a portion of the swelling agent rapidly vaporizes, causing the biomass fibers to rupture; wherein the first vessel is pressurized with a first stream including vaporized swelling agent to a pressure sufficient to prevent vaporization of the swelling agent in the first vessel.
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9. A method for continuously treating biomass material, comprising:
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contacting the biomass material and a swelling agent in a first vessel under a pressure sufficient to prevent vaporization of the swelling agent and for a time sufficient to allow the swelling agent to swell fibers within the biomass material; and transferring the biomass material to a second vessel having a pressure sufficiently less than that of the first vessel such that at least a portion of the swelling agent rapidly vaporizes, causing the biomass fibers to rupture, wherein the first vessel is pressurized with a first stream including vaporized swelling agent to a pressure sufficient to prevent vaporization of the swelling agent in the first vessel; drying the biomass material to provide a second vapor stream and a dry biomass; condensing the second vapor stream; and using the condensed second vapor stream to treat the biomass material before the biomass material enters the first vessel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12-21. -21. (canceled)
Specification