Apparatus for the separation and treatment of solid biomass
First Claim
1. An apparatus to separate components of a solid feedstock, the apparatus comprising:
- a threaded shaft comprising a plurality of reaction zone segments along the length of the shaft that are separated from each other by dynamic plug segments, wherein the threads of the shaft have a first thread pitch in the reaction zone segments, and a second thread pitch that is less than the first thread pitch in the dynamic plug segments;
a motor coupled to a first end of the threaded shaft to rotate the shaft, and an outlet coupled to a second end of the shaft that is opposite the first end, wherein the solid feedstock moves in a direction from the first to the second end of the shaft when the motor rotates the shaft, and one or more solid components of the solid feedstock exit the apparatus through the outlet;
a barrel unit to contain the threaded shaft;
a feeder to supply the solid feedstock to the threaded shaft, wherein the solid feedstock from the feeder first contacts the threaded shaft at a first reaction zone segment that is closest to the first end of the shaft;
a pump to provide a rinse fluid to the threaded shaft, wherein the rinse fluid flows in the opposite direction of the solid feedstock along the shaft; and
a pressurized discharge unit coupled to the outlet of the apparatus, wherein discharge unit comprises a progressing cavity pump running in reverse that discharges solid product components with controlled pressure reduction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus to separate components of a solid feedstock is described. The apparatus may include a threaded shaft that has a plurality of reaction zone segments along the length of the shaft that are separated from each other by dynamic plug segments. The threads of the shaft have a first thread pitch in the reaction zone segments, and a second thread pitch in the dynamic plug segments. The apparatus may also include a motor to rotate the shaft, and an outlet coupled to a second end of the shaft, where one or more solid components of the solid feedstock exit the apparatus through the outlet. The apparatus may additionally include a feeder to supply the solid feedstock to the threaded shaft, and a pump to provide a rinse fluid to the threaded shaft, where the rinse fluid flows in the opposite direction of the solid feedstock along the shaft.
23 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus to separate components of a solid feedstock, the apparatus comprising:
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a threaded shaft comprising a plurality of reaction zone segments along the length of the shaft that are separated from each other by dynamic plug segments, wherein the threads of the shaft have a first thread pitch in the reaction zone segments, and a second thread pitch that is less than the first thread pitch in the dynamic plug segments; a motor coupled to a first end of the threaded shaft to rotate the shaft, and an outlet coupled to a second end of the shaft that is opposite the first end, wherein the solid feedstock moves in a direction from the first to the second end of the shaft when the motor rotates the shaft, and one or more solid components of the solid feedstock exit the apparatus through the outlet; a barrel unit to contain the threaded shaft; a feeder to supply the solid feedstock to the threaded shaft, wherein the solid feedstock from the feeder first contacts the threaded shaft at a first reaction zone segment that is closest to the first end of the shaft; a pump to provide a rinse fluid to the threaded shaft, wherein the rinse fluid flows in the opposite direction of the solid feedstock along the shaft; and a pressurized discharge unit coupled to the outlet of the apparatus, wherein discharge unit comprises a progressing cavity pump running in reverse that discharges solid product components with controlled pressure reduction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system to treat a solid feedstock, the system comprising:
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a plurality of threaded shafts including a first shaft with solids feeder and a final shaft coupled to an outlet, wherein the solid feedstock moves in a direction from the first shaft to the final shaft, where one or more solid components of the solid feedstock exit the system through the outlet; and
wherein at least one of the plurality of threaded shafts has one or more reaction zone segments along the length of the shaft that are defined by dynamic plug segments, wherein the threads of the shaft have a first thread pitch in the reaction zone segments, and a second thread pitch that is less than the first thread pitch in the dynamic plug segments,a motor coupled to each of the plurality of threaded shafts to rotate the shaft, barrel units to contain the threaded shafts, a feeder to supply the solid feedstock to the first shaft; and a pump to provide a rinse fluid to one or more of the plurality of the threaded shafts, wherein the rinse fluid flows in the opposite direction of the solid feedstock along the shafts. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus to separate components of a solid feedstock, the apparatus comprising:
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a threaded shaft comprising a plurality of reaction zone segments along the length of the shaft that are separated from each other by dynamic plug segments, wherein the threads of the shaft have a first thread pitch in the reaction zone segments, and a second thread pitch that is less than the first thread pitch in the dynamic plug segments; a motor coupled to a first end of the threaded shaft to rotate the shaft, and an outlet coupled to a second end of the shaft that is opposite the first end, wherein the solid feedstock moves in a direction from the first to the second end of the shaft when the motor rotates the shaft, and one or more solid components of the solid feedstock exit the apparatus through the outlet; a barrel unit to contain the threaded shaft, a feeder to supply the solid feedstock to the threaded shaft, wherein the solid feedstock from the feeder first contacts the threaded shaft at a first reaction zone segment that is closest to the first end of the shaft; a pump to provide a rinse fluid to the threaded shaft, wherein the rinse fluid flows in the opposite direction of the solid feedstock along the shaft; and a pressurized discharge unit coupled to the outlet of the apparatus, wherein discharge unit comprises a pressurizable hydrolyic accumulator in fluid communication with a first and second valve that control the introduction of the solid components to a flash tank.
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Specification