Patent ID: 7815741
Filing Date: 2010-10-19
Classification: C08H,C13K,D21C,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A catalyzed hydrolytic process for splitting cellulose, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting the type of cellulose for use as feedstock from the group of cellulose consisting of wood, logs, wood chips, lumber, newspaper, cardboard, corn fiber, corn cob without the corn, corn cob with the corn, sugar cane, straw, switch grass, other grasses, or any combination of the foregoing; (b) pumping feedstock against compressed feedstock in a reaction chamber to form a feedstock plug, the feedstock plug moving downstream from an inlet to a discharge outlet of the reactor; (c) subjecting the feedstock plug in the reaction chamber to a constellation of physical things selected from the group consisting of pressure, heat, steam, water, acid, a lubricant, or any combination the foregoing; (d) cooking the feedstock plug within the reaction chamber; (e) opening a discharge outlet of the reaction chamber to rapidly reduce the pressure in the reaction chamber upon the occurrence of an event, the event selected from the group consisting of reaching a pre-set pressure level in the reaction chamber, expiration of a pre-set period of time, or a combination of the foregoing; and (f) whereby the selected cellulose is broken down into a liquefied slurry.