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BIOMASS PRETREATMENT

  • US 20140311480A1
  • Filed: 11/12/2013
  • Published: 10/23/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for pre-treating biomass, comprising:

  • a steaming bin that receives and steams biomass;

    a first pressurized pretreatment reactor coupled to the steaming bin to receive the steamed biomass;

    a drainer included in or coupled to the first pressurized pretreatment reactor, wherein the drainer includes a passage for the steamed biomass, a screen adjacent the passage, and an outlet on a side of the screen opposite to the passage, wherein the outlet is configured to pass liquids extracted through the screen from the steamed biomass;

    a pressurized conduit for the steamed biomass moving from the first pressurized pretreatment reactor, through the drainer and into a second pressurized pretreatment reactor, wherein the steamed biomass remains in the pressurized conduit while moving from the first pressurized pretreatment reactor, through the drainer and into the second pressurized pretreatment reactor;

    the second pressurized pretreatment reactor that receives the steamed biomass from the pressurized conduit, is configured to processes the biomass in a pH range of 1.3 to 2.0 pH, and includes a pressure release device at or proximate to a discharge of the second pressurized pretreatment reactor, wherein as the steamed biomass passes through the pressure release device cellulosic structures in the steamed biomass are opened due to the pressure drop, anda conduit conveying the steamed biomass with opened cellulosic structures from the pressure release device to at least one of a saccharification process or a fermentation process for ethanol processing.

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