Patent ID: 8916023
Filing Date: 2014-12-23
Classification: D21B,D21C

Abstract:
1. A method for hydrolysis in a vessel comprising a vapor portion and a liquid portion, the method comprising the steps of: feeding lignocellulosic material into a vapor portion of the vessel; supplying gaseous material to the vapor portion of the vessel, such that the lignocellulosic material contacts the gaseous material and such that a hydrolysis or autohydrolysis reaction occurs; retaining the lignocellulosic material in the vapor portion of the vessel for a period of time between 15 and 180 minutes; preventing overcompression of the lignocellulosic material in the vapor portion of the vessel via at least one column stress relief piece attached to a wall of the vessel, wherein the at least one column stress relief piece has an inward portion that creates a constricted cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the vessel; transferring the lignocellulosic material to a liquid portion of the vessel; supplying liquid to the liquid portion of the vessel; mixing the lignocellulosic material with the liquid to stop the hydrolysis or autohydrolysis reaction and to create a slurry; removing the slurry continuously from the vessel; and transferring the slurry to the top of a digester vessel.