Patent ID: 7745208
Filing Date: 2010-06-29
Classification: B01J,C12M,F26B

Abstract:
1. A biomass bearing material treatment pressure vessel, comprising: a generally cylindrical reaction vessel having first and second ends, said reaction vessel configured for rotation; a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the reaction vessel; one or more support tracks and wheels for supporting said reaction vessel as it rotates; at least one access opening to an interior of said reaction vessel, and through which biomass bearing material may pass; a door for closing said access opening; a door sealing system operatively associated with said door for sealing said door to said vessel at said access opening and for maintaining a pressure differential between the interior of said vessel and an exterior thereof; at least one flight of auger vanes on an interior wall of said reaction vessel and extending into the interior of said vessel in a plane, for moving biomass bearing material within said vessel from said first end to said second end of said reaction vessel, and from said second end to said first end of said reaction vessel, said auger vanes having a base edge attached to an interior vessel wall, and a top edge, said top edge of said auger vanes defining a bore oriented parallel to an axis of the reaction vessel, said top edge further including a plurality of paddles extending into said bore in the same plane as said auger vane; and a plurality of sparging lines operably connected to an interior of said vessel for injecting steam into said vessel.