Acid pre-hydrolysis reactor system
US5338366A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 4, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E50/10
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Biomass, such as bagasse, is pre-hydrolyzed, to ultimately effect hydrolysis of hemicellulose to sugars. Biomass is mixed with a mineral acid solution to form a slurry having a consistency of about 8 to 12% so that the acid solution properly wets the biomass. Then the slurry is dewatered to about 35 to 50% consistency, and is heated to reaction temperature (e. g. about 320.degree. F.) by direct contact with steam in the vapor phase of a vertical pressurized reactor, having a pressure of about 40 psig. A fluffer is preferably provided in the top of the reaction vessel. After a reaction time of about 30 minutes, the biomass is diluted and cold blown out of the bottom of the reactor. Pressate from the dewatering has acid added to it and is heated by indirect heat exchange with a sugar solution obtained by washing of the biomass discharged from the reactor, and is then mixed with the biomass as the acid solution.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.