Patent ID: 8647547

Claim:
A method for processing lignocellulosic precursors that includes the following steps: A. provide a lignocellulosic precursor with less than 25% moisture content ; B. pack a hydrothermal processing vessel with lignocellulosic precursor, such that the density of lignocellulosic precursor in the hydrothermal processing vessel is between 1 and 3 times the free flow density of the lignocellulosic precursor; C. subject the lignocellulosic precursor in the hydrothermal processing vessel to steam below 100 bar for up to 10 minutes; D. slowly, within about 6 to 20 seconds, reduce the pressure within the hydrothermal processing vessel to between 10 and 20 bar; E. explosively decompress the hydrothermal processing vessel to ambient pressure; and then dry the resultant lignocellulosic product to below about 15% moisture content.