Method of continuous processing of lignocellulosic feedstock
First Claim
1. A continuous process for providing a processed lignocellulosic feedstock comprising the steps of:
- a. pretreating a lignocellulosic feedstock at elevated pressure in a pretreatment reactor at a pH between about 0.4 and about 2.0 to produce a pressurized, pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock;
b. adding one or more than one soluble base to the pressurized, pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock after exit from the pretreatment reactor to adjust the pressurized, pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock to an intermediate pH of between about pH 2.5 and about pH 3.5 to produce a pressurized, partially-neutralized feedstock; and
c. further processing the pressurized, partially-neutralized feedstock at the intermediate pH to produce the processed lignocellulosic feedstock.
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Abstract
A continuous process for treating a lignocellulosic feedstock is provided. This method comprises pretreating the lignocellulosic feedstock under pressure in a pretreatment reactor at a pH between about 0.4 and about 2.0. One or more than one soluble base is added to this pressurized, pretreated feedstock after it exits the pretreatment reactor to adjust the pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock to an intermediate pH of between about pH 2.5 to about pH 3.5. This pressurized, partially-neutralized feedstock is then further processed at the intermediate pH. This may include flashing one or more than one time at the intermediate pH. The pH of the pressurized, partially-neutralized feedstock may then be adjusted with one or more than one base to produce a neutralized feedstock having a pH between about 4 and about 6. Prior to adjusting the pH to between about 2.5 and about 3.5, the pressurized, pretreated feedstock truly be partially depressurized.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A continuous process for providing a processed lignocellulosic feedstock comprising the steps of:
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a. pretreating a lignocellulosic feedstock at elevated pressure in a pretreatment reactor at a pH between about 0.4 and about 2.0 to produce a pressurized, pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock; b. adding one or more than one soluble base to the pressurized, pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock after exit from the pretreatment reactor to adjust the pressurized, pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock to an intermediate pH of between about pH 2.5 and about pH 3.5 to produce a pressurized, partially-neutralized feedstock; and c. further processing the pressurized, partially-neutralized feedstock at the intermediate pH to produce the processed lignocellulosic feedstock. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)
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7. A continuous process for treating a lignocellulosic feedstock comprising the steps of:
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a. pretreating the lignocellulosic feedstock at elevated pressure in a pretreatment reactor at a pH between about 0.4 and about 2.0 to produce a pressurized, pretreated feedstock; b. adding one or more than one soluble base to the pressurized, pretreated feedstock after exit from the pretreatment reactor to adjust the pressurized, pretreated feedstock to an intermediate pH of between about pH 2.5 and about pH 3.5 to produce a pressurized, partially-neutralized feedstock; c. flashing the pressurized, partially-neutralized feedstock one or more than one time at the intermediate pH to produce a flashed feedstock; and d. adjusting the pH of the flashed feedstock with one or more than one base to produce a neutralized feedstock having a pH between about 4 and about 6. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification