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 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;
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; and
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.
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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.
25 Citations
13 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 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; 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; and 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus to treat a solid feedstock, the apparatus comprising:
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a threaded shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein a motor is coupled to the first end to rotate the shaft, and an outlet is coupled to the second end, and 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; a dynamic filter to capture particles from a portion of the rinse fluid coming off the shaft, and return the particles to the threaded shaft; and a pressurized discharge unit coupled to the outlet, wherein the solid product slurry is discharged to a flash tank with controlled pressure reduction. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification