Patent ID: 9446436
Filing Date: 2016-09-20
CPC Classification: B01D,B08B,C08H,C10G,Y02P

Claim Text:
1. A process for continuously or semi-continuously washing biomass to selectively remove at least a portion of detrimental metals and their anions (“detrimental species”) from a detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids for further processing in a hydrothermal digestion unit comprising: a. continuously or semi-continuously providing a detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids into a generally cylindrical vessel comprising a chamber having a height that is greater than its width, the height comprised of height from top to bottom L0, L1, L2 and L3; the chamber having an opening suitable for solids introduction located within L0, one or more first fluid conduits connected to the chamber within the lower 20% of its height within L1, one or more second fluid conduits connected to the chamber within the upper 20% of its height within L1, said cellulosic biomass solids flow in only one direction within the chamber and countercurrent flow relative to the direction of fluid flow within the chamber, one or more third fluid conduits connected to the chamber within the lower 20% of its height within L2, one or more fourth fluid conduits connected to the chamber within the lower 20% of its height within L3, the chamber having an opening suitable for biomass extraction located within the lower 20% of its height within L3 downstream from the one or more fourth fluid conduits for the cellulosic biomass solids; at least one solvent and/ or water detection device within the vessel or in fluid communication with the vessel located within L3, L2, L1 and/or in within or in fluid communication with the one or more second fluid conduits; a solvent flow control device within the vessel or in flow communication with the vessel to control the flow of the solvent; b. introducing acid and/or base to the vessel from the first conduit to contact with the biomass solids; c. introducing aqueous solution to the vessel from the third conduit to contact with the biomass solids; d. introducing solvent to the vessel from the fourth conduit to contact with the biomass solids producing biomass containing solvent; e. removing aqueous solution from the vessel from one or more second fluid conduit; and f. removing the biomass containing solvent from the vessel from biomass extraction opening; wherein the solvent and/or aqueous solution is introduced at a rate such that the concentration of solvent or aqueous solution at the solvent and/or aqueous detection device is within a predetermined level.