Patent ID: 8673112
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: B01J,C02F,C12M,D21C

Abstract:
1. A method for thermal hydrolysis and steam explosion of biomass, the method comprising: feeding the biomass approximately continuously into a first preheating tank and heating the biomass; leading the preheated biomass sequentially into at least two reactors; heating and pressurising the reactor by a supply of steam; holding the reactor(s) at a given temperature and pressure over a given time; leading the heated and pressurised biomass from the reactor(s) to a first pressure relief tank without any substantial reduction of the reactor pressure; relieving the pressure in the biomass quickly via a nozzle so that the biomass is broken up in the first pressure relief tank; leading the biomass from the first pressure relief tank to a second pressure relief tank at a lower pressure than the pressure in the first pressure relief tank; applying a vacuum to the second pressure relief tank such that the pressure in the second pressure relief tank is on the order of approximately 0.3-approximately 0.8 bar abs; leading steam from the second pressure relief tank to at least one of the first preheating tank and a reactor of the at least two reactors for heating; and leading the biomass to a downstream installation for further treatment.