Patent ID: 8617355
Filing Date: 2013-12-31
Classification: C12M,C12P,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method to treat a lignocellulosic material comprising: performing a steam explosion reaction on the lignocellulosic material to produce a slurry including the lignocellulosic material; adding an alkali material to the slurry in a first conveyor, wherein the alkali material increases the average pH of the slurry moving through the first conveyor; transferring the slurry with the alkali material from the first conveyor to a second conveyor; adding an enzyme solution to the slurry while in, entering or at the discharge of the second conveyor; transferring the slurry with the enzyme solution from the second conveyor to a mixer; mixing the slurry in the mixer, wherein a second portion of the enzyme solution is added to the slurry during the mixing, and transferring the slurry with the enzyme solution from the mixer to a first reactor vessel, and subjecting the slurry in the first reactor vessel to enzymatic hydrolysis, wherein the viscosity of the slurry is reduced in the first reactor vessel.