Patent ID: 8877012

Claim:
An apparatus for steam explosion treatment of biomass material comprising: a pressurized reactor vessel configured to contain biomass material and steam; at least one discharge line coupled to an outlet of the pressurized reactor vessel, wherein the at least one discharge line has a cross-sectional area and wherein the at least one discharge line is configured to receive the biomass material and the steam discharged from the pressurized reactor vessel; a collection-expansion manifold connected to an outlet end of the at least one discharge line; a collection line having an inlet connected to the collection-expansion manifold, wherein the collection line is configured to receive the biomass material and the steam flowing from the outlet end of the at least one discharge line, and wherein the collection line has a cross-sectional area that is substantially larger than the cumulative cross-sectional area of the at least one discharge line; and a separation device coupled to an outlet end of the collection line to receive the biomass material and the steam from the collection line, and the separation device includes a gas outlet and a biomass material outlet.