Self-cleaning apparatus and method for thick slurry pressure control
First Claim
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1. A method for reducing fouling in processing of lignocellulosic biomass, comprising:
- transporting a fouling fluid comprising lignocellulosic biomass under pressure through an apparatus during processing of the biomass, the apparatus comprising;
a passageway having at least two stages;
a retractable valve positioned in at least one of;
an alternating orientation or at an orientation of about 180 degrees relative to each other, in each of said at least two stages;
and an optional shutoff valve positioned in said passageway;
wherein said retractable valves form a tortuous path in said passageway when said retractable valves are partially closed to permit a pressure drop between said stages; and
retracting at least one of said retractable valves to an open position to form an open retractable valve when another of said retractable valves is partially closed to clean said open retractable valve and to control pressure and reduce fouling in said apparatus.
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Abstract
Self-cleaning apparatus and methods are disclosed for handling viscous fluids, such as thick solid-liquid slurries of lignocellulosic biomass and its components, under high pressure, using an array of retractable valves.
197 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for reducing fouling in processing of lignocellulosic biomass, comprising:
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transporting a fouling fluid comprising lignocellulosic biomass under pressure through an apparatus during processing of the biomass, the apparatus comprising; a passageway having at least two stages; a retractable valve positioned in at least one of;
an alternating orientation or at an orientation of about 180 degrees relative to each other, in each of said at least two stages;and an optional shutoff valve positioned in said passageway; wherein said retractable valves form a tortuous path in said passageway when said retractable valves are partially closed to permit a pressure drop between said stages; and retracting at least one of said retractable valves to an open position to form an open retractable valve when another of said retractable valves is partially closed to clean said open retractable valve and to control pressure and reduce fouling in said apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for controlling back-pressure in processing of lignocellulosic biomass, comprising:
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transporting a fouling fluid comprising lignocellulosic biomass under pressure through an apparatus during processing of the biomass, the apparatus comprising; a passageway having at least two stages; a retractable valve positioned in at least one of;
an alternating orientation or at an orientation of about 180 degrees relative to each other, in each of said at least two stages;and an optional shutoff valve positioned in said passageway; wherein said retractable valves form a tortuous path in said passageway when said retractable valves are partially closed to permit a pressure drop between said stages; and retracting at least one of said retractable valves to an open position to form an open retractable valve when another of said retractable valves is partially closed to clean said open retractable valve and to control back-pressure in said apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification