Patent ID: 7189306
Filing Date: 2007-03-13
Classification: C12P,C13K,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A process of treating a lignocellulosic material to produce bio-ethanol, the process comprising the steps of: (a) grinding a quantity of untreated lignocellulosic material; (b) exposing the ground and untreated lignocellulosic material of step (a) to conditions including a pH not less than about 8, and steam at a first pressure, to produce a step (b) product; (c) explosively discharging the step (b) product to a second pressure less than the first pressure to produce a slurry containing solids; and (d) further processing said slurry by passing said slurry through a device to separate the cellulosic solids from a liquid stream, said device increasing pressure on the separated solids as the solids pass through said device.