APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR TREATMENT OF FIBERS
First Claim
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1. A process for treating fibers and fiber bundles containing a cellulose fraction, a lignin fraction and a hemicellulose fraction, said process comprising the steps of:
- softening the fibers;
swelling the fibers;
macerating the fibers; and
removing at least a portion of the lignin fraction and hemicellulose fraction from the fibers;
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Abstract
A process for treatment of fibers is disclosed. The treatment comprises simultaneously and continuously macerating the fibers and exposing the fibers to superheated steam, ammonia gas and ethylenediamine gas. The treatment is carried out in a chamber where the fibers are subjected to the mechanical rubbing and crushing action of a plurality of rotating pins against channels disposed on the chamber interior wall. The treatment results in improved fiber water holding capacity and improved conversion efficiency in the production of biofuels from the treated fibers.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A process for treating fibers and fiber bundles containing a cellulose fraction, a lignin fraction and a hemicellulose fraction, said process comprising the steps of:
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softening the fibers; swelling the fibers; macerating the fibers; and removing at least a portion of the lignin fraction and hemicellulose fraction from the fibers; - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A process for treating fibers comprising:
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providing fibers and fiber bundles having a moisture level in the range of between about 2 percent and about 10 percent; providing a treatment apparatus comprising a treatment chamber having a feed zone and an exit zone, said treatment chamber being adapted for pressurization; feeding fibers and fiber bundles into the feed zone of a treatment apparatus and moving said fibers and fiber bundles from the feed zone toward the exit zone; pre-treating the fibers and fiber bundles via a feed port disposed in the feed zone of the treatment chamber; macerating the fibers and fiber bundles; feeding a gaseous mixture containing steam, ammonia and ethylenediamine into the treatment chamber via at least one feed port disposed immediately downstream from the feed zone at a temperature of between about 140 degrees C. and about 180 degrees C. and a pressure of about 2 kilopascals gauge; and collecting the fibers at the exit zone of said treatment apparatus, said fibers exiting from the treatment chamber having a moisture level in the range of between about 40 percent and about 60 percent. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification