PROCESS FOR TREATING BIOMASS
First Claim
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1. A process for treating biomass, comprising:
- treating the biomass with a biomass swelling agent within a vessel to swell or rupture at least a portion of the biomass;
removing at least a portion of the swelling agent from a first end of the vessel, while leaving at least a majority of the treated biomass within the vessel; and
contacting the treated biomass left within the vessel with steam introduced into a second end of the vessel different from the first end to further remove swelling agent from the vessel, wherein during the contact of the steam and the treated biomass in the vessel, the vessel is at a bed angle of not greater than 30 degrees from vertical.
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Abstract
This invention is directed to a process for treating biomass. The biomass is treated with a biomass swelling agent within the vessel to swell or rupture at least a portion of the biomass. A portion of the swelling agent is removed from a first end of the vessel following the treatment. Then steam is introduced into a second end of the vessel different from the first end to further remove swelling agent from the vessel in such a manner that the swelling agent exits the vessel at a relatively low water content.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A process for treating biomass, comprising:
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treating the biomass with a biomass swelling agent within a vessel to swell or rupture at least a portion of the biomass; removing at least a portion of the swelling agent from a first end of the vessel, while leaving at least a majority of the treated biomass within the vessel; and contacting the treated biomass left within the vessel with steam introduced into a second end of the vessel different from the first end to further remove swelling agent from the vessel, wherein during the contact of the steam and the treated biomass in the vessel, the vessel is at a bed angle of not greater than 30 degrees from vertical. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A process for treating biomass, comprising:
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treating the biomass with a biomass swelling agent within a vessel to swell or rupture at least a portion of the biomass; removing at least a portion of the swelling agent from a first end of the vessel, while leaving at least a majority of the treated biomass within the vessel; and contacting the treated biomass left within the vessel with steam introduced into a second end of the vessel different from the first end to further remove swelling agent from the vessel, wherein the contact of the steam and the treated biomass in the vessel is carried out to provide an Archimedes number of at least 4. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification