Patent ID: 9115214
Filing Date: 2015-08-25
Classification: B30B,C08B,C12M

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling the total solids contents of biomass discharged from a plug screw feeder into a pretreatment digester, the plug screw feeder comprising a throat section having a number of drain openings, the digester being connected to a damper which contacts the biomass material as it enters the digester, the damper being driven forward by a piston which exerts a force on the damper to create a back pressure against the biomass, the method comprising: measuring the flow rate of biomass introduced into the plug screw feeder; measuring the total solids content of biomass introduced into the plug screw feeder; measuring the flow rate of a effluent slurry discharged from the plug screw feeder; calculating the total solids content of the biomass discharged from the plug screw feeder into the pretreatment digester based on the flow rate and total solids content of biomass introduced into the plug screw feeder and the flow rate of the effluent slurry discharged from the plug screw feeder; and adjusting at least one of (1) the number of open drain openings in the plug screw feeder throat section, (2) the force exerted on the damper by the piston, (3) the rotational speed of the plug screw feeder and (4) the total solids content of biomass introduced into the plug screw feeder based on the calculated total solids content of the biomass discharged from the plug screw feeder.