METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE HEAT TREATMENT OF A CELLULOSIC FEEDSTOCK UPSTREAM OF HYDROLYSIS
First Claim
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1. A method for preparing a cellulosic feedstock for hydrolysis in a hydrolysis chamber, the method comprising:
- a) introducing the cellulosic feedstock into a longitudinally extending treatment chamber having an inner surface;
b) operating the treatment chamber at a pressure comparable to the pressure in the hydrolysis chamber and at a fill volume less than 50% whereby the treatment chamber has an upper open portion;
c) projecting a portion of the cellulosic feedstock into the upper open portion of the treatment chamber while conveying the cellulosic feedstock longitudinally through the treatment chamber; and
,d) heating the cellulosic feedstock as it is conveyed through the chamber.
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Abstract
An apparatus for heating a cellulosic feedstock prior to hydrolysis is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressurizable treatment chamber, a mixing and conveyance member configured to deaggregate the cellulosic feedstock and mix the cellulosic feedstock with gas in the upper portion of the chamber, and a heating member. The treatment chamber is at a pressure comparable to the pressure of a downstream hydrolyzer. Additionally, a method is disclosed.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for preparing a cellulosic feedstock for hydrolysis in a hydrolysis chamber, the method comprising:
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a) introducing the cellulosic feedstock into a longitudinally extending treatment chamber having an inner surface; b) operating the treatment chamber at a pressure comparable to the pressure in the hydrolysis chamber and at a fill volume less than 50% whereby the treatment chamber has an upper open portion; c) projecting a portion of the cellulosic feedstock into the upper open portion of the treatment chamber while conveying the cellulosic feedstock longitudinally through the treatment chamber; and
,d) heating the cellulosic feedstock as it is conveyed through the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus comprising:
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a) a shell defining a pressurizable treatment chamber having a lower inner surface, the shell having an inlet and an outlet spaced longitudinally apart from the inlet to define an axial length, the outlet being at a pressure comparable to a hydrolysis chamber downstream from the treatment chamber; b) a mixing and conveyance member housed within the shell; and
,c) a heating member configured to heat at least one of the shell and the mixing and conveyance member whereby the cellulosic feedstock is heat-treated prior to hydrolysis. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification