TotalPatent One®
`
`CN101835804A
`
`Status:
`
`Granted
`
`Abstract:
`
`Thepatent refers to the field of polysaccharides; derivatives thereof’. A method for treating
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`biomass was developed that uses an apparatus which moves a biomass and dilute aqueous
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`ammonia mixture through reaction chambers without compaction, The apparatus moves the
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`biomass using a non-campressing piston. The resulting treated blomass is saccharified to
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`produce fermentable sugars.
`
`Application/Filing Date:
`
`2008-08-18
`
`Application Number:
`
`CN200880103987
`
`Priority Date:
`
`2007-08-22
`
`Description:
`
`f0001)] Governmentrights statement
`
`[0002] The invention support by the United States Government, Department of energy
`contract numberof the signing 04-03-CA-70224 and DE-FC36-03GO13146 constraint. The
`Government of the United States have an inevitable right of this invention.
`
`f0003] invention field
`
`f0004] Provides a method for the treatment of a blomass, the method includes a kind of the
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`designated equipment. The method using the apparatus in the biomass non-compaction
`state moves into and through the reactor, the temperature and pressure in the appropriate
`implementation with diute ammonia water impregnated biomass and the processing
`method for the reaction of the same.
`
`

`

`(0005) Background Art
`
`f0006] Fibrous and wooden cellulosic raw materials andagricultural residues such as
`garbage, wood, forestry refuse, the sludge from the papermaking industry, and municipal and
`industrial solid waste, provides tremendous potential renewable raw materials, used for
`production of valuable products, such as fuel and other chemical products. By the
`
`carbohydrate polymer (including cellulose, hemicellulose, dextran and lignin) of a fiber of the
`fiber and the garbage and for the feeding of various chernical, mechanical and enzymatic
`methods for processing in order to release the main to hexose and pentaglucose, they then
`can carry out the fermentation in order to produce useful products.
`
`10007] First of all, the biomass material to perform processing in order to prepare
`SACCHARIDASE more easy touse fibrous and wood fibrous material of the carbohydrate
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`polymer, the process is commonlyreferred to as pre-treatment. Then the pre-treatment of
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`blomass under the conditions in the presence of slucoamylase of further hydrolysis in the
`hydrolysis in the product to release oligose and/or monosaccharide. For from the
`pretreatment of the biomass in the fermentation of sugar production SACCHARIDASE usually
`includes one or more a glycosidase such as hydrolysis of cellulase slycocidase, hydrolyze
`hemicellulose elycocidase, and starch hydrolysis glycocidase, and peptidase, lipase, lignin
`enzyme and/or ferulic acid esterase, The saccharifying enzyme used for biomass processing
`and method refer to Lynd, L.R. People (Microbiol.Mol Biol Rev. (2002) 66 : 506-577).
`
`10008] Expectations for cost-effective large-scale processing biomass system and/or method.
`
`Processing the biomass needs to be a high concentration of heavy material in order to
`produce the needed high concentration can be fermentedsugar, the fermentable sugar used
`in the fermentation into the product. Therefore, including the biomass part high dry weight
`move through the reactor, while at the same time maintaining through the handling of
`chemicals used for preparing capacity and optimizing the capacity of the saccharification of
`Dlomass, in addition to making use of aminimum numberof chemicals and energy input to
`implement material mobile, this is a method of treating biomass one of the challenges. Also
`wish to include the low cost of capital equipment method. Does not need mixing or reactorof
`the reactor of the method can provide a lowercost of capital equipment and a lower energy
`
`input.
`
`

`

`10009] Has been described that does not require mixing or reactor rotating system and for
`moving biomass through the reactor the specific equipment. US4186658 discloses used for
`conveying equipment of the particulate matter, said particulate matter such as wood chips,
`straw, bagasse, and other fibrous material, said substance that this apparatus will be pressed
`into a solid \"block\" shape. Screw conveyor for the material to pre-load, and by
`reciprocating piston further compaction. Compacted mass is very compact so that it can
`effectively prevent blow back In the system. Then the block to the expected can be used for
`material processing in the apparatus. Biornass material dense block will not be able to make
`
`the pre-treatmentreactant to achieve the best penetration.
`
`10010] Similarly, US4136207 discloses used for preparing and having improve ruminant
`oxybenzoates method of the cellulose material, the material begins to the compaction states
`from the machinery. Then it does not exist under the conditionof the chemical reagent
`through the high-pressure steam treatment, and further compacting to form a biomass solid
`block, the escape through theInlet to prevent steam. Small part of the material and then is
`discharged, the pressure is reduced rapidly. The biomass is pressed into block would not be
`used in the pretreatment of the chemical reagent to achieve the best penetration.
`
`f0013) US6176176 disclosed for processing equipment of cellulose material, the apparatus
`used in the extrusion machine cylinder rotatable screw. In the pressurized liquid ammonia is
`put in the cylinder, and the fibraus material mixed in the drum, and then the cylinder head is
`by a durabie, liquid ammonia into a gas, so that the wood fiber material of the chemical
`explosive expansion. in large-scale commercial use in the method of the extrusion machine is
`very expensive, therefore cannot provide economical method.
`
`[0012] inshared and common NA11/402757 pending US disclosed in in for treatment of
`biomass fermentation of sugar production method, the method using low intensity biomass
`pre-treating high concentration of ammeania water.
`
`[0013] Therefore need to be used for the treatment of biomass system and/or method, the
`trimming respawn substance moving the reactor by low-cost, at the same time with
`maximumpenetrability chernical reactant fo prepare the biomass for saccharification.
`
`10014] Invention overview
`
`

`

`10015] The present invention provides for a method of treatment of biomass before
`
`saccharification, through the method of the present invention pre-processing biomass,
`comprising subsequently and through saccharifications the pre-treatment of blomass can be
`prepared by the hydrolysis of the sugar product. in one aspect, a method for the treatment of
`a biomass, the method comprises:
`
`(0016) A) providing biomass;
`
`f0017] B} use the feeding machine non-compaction(a) in the biomass into the apparatus, the
`apparatus including:
`
`f0018] ) cylindrical drum, the cylindrical drum has a is equipped with the piston of the end of
`the lst and 2nd is equipped withthe tail end of the discharging valve;
`
`(0019) 1) optionally a branch pipe, said branch pipe in a branch pipe is connected with the
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`end of the tall end of the Ist close to the cylindrical cylinder on the cylindrical cylinder, and in
`the said branch pipe of the branch pipe is not connected with the end of the valve can be
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`sealed;
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`10020] 1H) cylindrical cylinderor at least of the branch pipe 2 a the port can be sealed;
`
`10021] iv} optionally a valve, said valve in the cylindrical cylinder of the cylinder is divided into
`
`separate chamber and the lst 2nd chamber, the Ist chamber having is equipped with the
`piston of a cylinder theend of the Ist, and the 2nd chamber having is equipped with a
`discharge valve of a cylinder the end of the 2nd; and
`
`[0022] V) is connected toa the cylinder on the end of the 2nddischarge valve of a flash drum;
`
`(0023] Wherein the blomass into the cylindrical cylinder or optionally into the is cannected to
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`the cylindrical of the cylinderin the tube states ;
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`f0024] C} closing the cylindrical cylinder and branch line Gf any);
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`

`

`(0025] D) optionally via a cylindrical in the cylinder apply a vacuum to the at least one part,
`
`f0026] E) a cylindrical drum or middle of the branch pipe of the at least one port by adding
`containing an aqueous ammonia solution, with respect to the cylinder is added in an amount
`of the dry weight of the biomass in less than about 12 weight percent, so as to generate
`biomass and ammonia-water mixture, in addition the relative to the dry weight of the
`biomass, said biomass with the weight of the ammonia-water mixtureis at least about 15
`weight percent of high solid concentration, and through the cylindrical cylinder or a branch
`pipe (if any} to the 2nd port of the steam, in order to make the temperature in the cylinder is
`between about to reach the 85 |...) and about 180 the between [...].
`
`10027] F) closing the cylindrical cylinder and branch line Uf any) to provide the ports in the
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`non-permeabie chamber;
`
`[0028] G) in said impermeable chamber said biomass with an ammonia-water mixture is
`maintained at the suitable temperature for a period of time under, the time is between about
`30 seconds and about 4 hours;
`
`[0029] H} optionally the displacement of the pistan through the said biomass with an
`ammonia-watermixture in the cylinder to the cylindrical moving 2nd chamber in (if they
`
`exist), wherein the compacted material can not be stated, and maintain between about 2
`
`miriutes and 4 hours for a period of timebetween the; and
`
`(0030] }) through the piston willmove said biomass with an armmonia-water mixture through
`{gs} or (h} of the impermeable cylindrical cylinder and throughthe discharge valve into the
`flash tank;
`
`f0031] Wherein the production of the biomasstreated.
`
`[0032] In another aspect, a method for the treatment of a biomass, the method comprises:
`
`f0033] A} providing a mixture of biomass and containing an agueous ammonia solution,
`wherein, relative to the dry weight of the biomass of the gross weight of biomass and
`ammonia-water mixture is at least about 15 weight percent, and the amount of ammonia
`
`

`

`relative to thedry weight of the biomass, less than about 12 weight percent;
`
`[0034] B) use the feeding machine non-compaction (a) the biomass with an ammonia-water
`mixture into the apparatus, the apparatus including:
`
`'0035] {} cylindrical cylinder, the cylinder is equipped withthe piston of the end of the ist and
`2nd is equipped with the tail end of the discharging valve;
`
`fQ036] 1) optionally a branch pipe, said branch pipein a branch pipe is connected with the
`
`end of the tail end of the Ist close to the cylindrical cylinder on the cylindrical cylinder, and in
`the said branch pipe of the branch pipe is not connected with the end of the valve can be
`sealed;
`
`[0037] Hi) cylindrical cylinder or at least of the branch pipe 2 a the port can be sealed;
`
`10038] iv} valve, thevalve in the cylindrical cylinder of the cylinderis divided into separate 2nd
`
`ist chamber and the chamber, the chamber having Ist the lst with thetail end of the piston
`in the cylinder, and the 2nd chamber having is equipped with a discharge valve of a cylinder
`the end of the 2nd; and
`
`[0039] V} is connected to the cylinder on the end of the 2nd discharge valve of a flash drum;
`
`10040] Wherein the cylindrical drum of the biomass into the Ist chamberor optionally into the
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`#s connected to the cylindrical of the cylinder in the tube states;
`
`10041] C) closing said Ist in the cylinder chamber and the branchpipe {if any);
`
`10042] D) optionally at least ane port through the vacuumis applied;
`
`£0043] E) or the branch pipe through the lst chamberin at least one of the lst port (if existing)
`adding steam in order to make the indoor temperature reach the is between about 85 the and
`
`about [...] the 180 between [...];
`
`

`

`(0044] F) closing the lst chamber and the branch pipe(if existing) to provide the ports in the
`ist chamber can not be penetration;
`
`f0045] G) in said impermeable Istchamber in said biomass with an ammonia-water mixture
`will be kept in the appropriate temperature for a period of time, the time is between about 30
`seconds and about 4 hours:
`
`10046] H) optionally, the displacement of the piston through said biomass with an ammonia-
`water mixture through the opening of the valve can be moved through the infiltration of the
`ist chamberinto the cylindrical in the cylinder in the 2nd chamber, wherein the compacted
`material can not bestated,
`
`10047] 1) optionally, the opening or closing of the valveinorder to form the 2nd-impermeable
`
`chamber and keep the biomass and ammonia-water mixture is between about 2 minutes and
`
`about 4 hours for a period of time between the; and
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`f0048] J} in step (2) or the step () through the displacement of the piston after said biomass
`with an ammania-water mixture moving through the discharge valve into the flash tank;
`
`10049] The compacted material can not be stated and so as to produce the treated biomass.
`
`f0050] Additional aspects of the present invention has been in accordance with the method of
`
`the present invention processing biomass, comprising through saccharifications biomass and
`of a hydrolysis product of fermentable sugar, the biomass has been through the method of
`this invention for theprocessing.
`
`[0051] Biamass means any fibrous and/or wooden cellulosic material, can include biological
`energy crops, agricultural residue, municipal solid refuse, industrial solid waste, yard refuse,
`wood and forestry refuse or their combination. In order to reduce the size, increasing the
`surface area of the exposed, and/or increasing biomass in present in the cellulose,
`hemicellulose and/ar oligose availability, can be in the step (a) before the applicationof
`energy to the biomass.
`
`10052] Description of drawings
`
`

`

`[0053] Figure Lis a schematic diagramof the apparatus used in the present invention one of
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`the embodiments.
`
`[0054] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus used in the present invention the 2nd
`
`embodiment.
`
`[0055] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a discharge valve of the gradual expansion of the
`venturi tube an embodiment, the valve is closed,
`
`[0056] Figure 4is a schematic diagramof Figure 3 the gradual expansion of the embodiments
`of of the venturi tube, said valve opening.
`
`[0057] Figure Sis a schematic diagram of V-type port valve of the gradual expansion of the
`
`venturi tube an embodiment.
`
`10058] Figure Gis a schematic diagram of type swing check valve of the gradual expansion of
`the venturi tube an embodiment, thevalve in the closed in A, B in the opening.
`
`f0059] Invention details
`
`f0060] The applicant in the referenceliterature all the integrity of the reference cantent in the
`introduction of the disclosure. Furthermore, when the quantity, concentration, or other value
`or parameterin order to range, preferred range or, preferably, the upperlimit value and lower
`mit value when the tabular form, should be understood as the same by any the high range
`mit or preferred value and any lowerlimit or rangeof any of the preferred values of all the
`range on the form, and no matter the stated range are individually open. Where the given
`herein is a numerical value range, the range is intended to include its end point, is located in
`the and all within the scope of an integer and a fractional, unless otherwise noted. When
`defining a range, not intended to be limited in the scope of this invention specific values of
`
`theUsted,
`
`f0061] The present invention provides for processing biomass in order to makeit pass
`saccharifications to the production method for the fermentation of sugar. in order to easily
`can be through the production of valuable products, such as fuel and other chemical
`
`

`

`products, Through the pre-treatment, saccharification and fermentation step, can be the use
`of renewable biomass (including waste biomass) to production of valuable chemical
`products, the chemical product demand of the oil can be reduced.
`
`[0062] Definition:
`
`[0063] The use of benzene in many terms. The following definition is given.
`
`[0064] \"Biomass\" means any cellulosic or wood cellulosic material, including a cellulosic
`material, and optionally further comprising hemicellulose, lignin, starch, oligosaccharide
`and/or monosaccharide material. Biomass may also include additional components, such as
`proteins and/orlipid, As stated in this invention, the biomass can be derived from the single
`source, or derived from biomass may include a mixture of more than one kind of sources;
`
`such as biomass may include corn cobs and corn stalk or of fibrous mixture, or a mixture of
`
`grass and leaves. Biomass including, but not limited to, blological energy crops, agricultural
`residue, municipal solid refuse, industrial solid refuse, the sludge from the papermaking
`industry, garden refuse, wood and forestry refuse, Biomass examplesinclude, but are not
`iimited to, corn, corn cobs, crop residues such as corn shell, carn straw, corn fiber, grass,
`
`wheat, wheatstraw, hay, stalk, switchgrass, waste paper, bagasse, sorghum, soybean shell or
`stalk , obtained from cereal, tree, branch, root, leaf, wood chips, sawdust, shrubs and
`
`underbrush, vegetables, fruit, flower and the ruminant animal manure component of the
`article. In one embodiment, the biomass used in the present invention includes a
`
`carbohydrate value relatively high biomass, their relative-intensive, and/or is relatively easy
`
`to collect, transport, storage and/or processing. In the present invention in one embodiment,
`theavailable biomass includes corn cobs, corn straw, corn fiber and bagasse.
`
`10065] The term \"fermentable sugar\” or \"sugar\" means into a target fermentation can be
`readily of the monosaccharide oligose and chemical products.
`
`[0066] The term \"woodfiber," means a material containing lignin and cellulase. Wooden
`cellulosic material can also include the hemicellulose.
`
`f0067] The term \"flbrous\” means a material containing cellulose.
`
`

`

`[0068] The term \"glycosylated\" from the polysaccharide in production can be fermented
`
`sugar,
`
`f0069] Biomass removed \"dry weight\" means all or substantially all the weight of the
`biomass after the water content. In accordance with the normally dry weight of the test
`materials (ASTM) standards association E1756-01 (Standard TestMethod for Determination
`
`Biomass Solids Total of in) or paper pulp and paper-making industry and technology
`association, thestandard Inc. (TAPPI T-4120m -02 (Moisturein Pulp, and Paper
`Paperboard) is measured.
`
`10070] The \"containing an aqueous ammonia solution\” means in an aqueous medium using
`ammonia (NH.3), comprising ammonium ion compound (NH 4°} such as ammonium
`
`nydroxide or ammonium sulphate, when the degradationto release ammonia compound
`such as urea, and combinations of them.
`
`{0071] The term \"treatment\” means the process of the reactant material, wherein the
`material changes the physical and/or chemical nature.
`
`[0072] The term \“reactant\" be used in the processing method to changethe target material
`under the condition of the physical and/or chemical nature of the composition.
`
`(0073] For saccharification can be \" the enzyme gathersthe living body \" in order to produce
`the biomass mixture of fermentable sugar combination of enzymes. Usually saccharifications
`the enzyme gathers the living body can include one or more glycocidase, the glycosidase can
`be selected from hydrolysis of cellulose glycocidase, hydrolyze hemicellulose glycocidase and
`starch hydrolysis xylosides enzymatics, Saccharifications the enzyme gathers lives of the
`other pulley body including peptidase,lipase, lignin enzyme and the ferulic acid esterase.
`
`[0074] The terminology of the about the biomass \"“processing\" or \"pre-processing\"
`associated with the following method, With the reactant to processing biomass in order to
`form the treated biomass product, which can also be referred to as processing in order to
`form thepre-treatment of biomass in order to form or pre-pre-processing of the biomass, The
`use of \“pre\" is used to distinguish the saccharifications biomass prior to biomass processing
`of,
`
`

`

`[0075] Method of treating biomass
`
`f0076] In shared and co-pending US Patent application # 11/402757 NA disclosed in in for
`treatment of biomass fermentation of sugar production method, the method including the
`use of low-streneth ammonia water to pre-treating high concentration of biomass. The
`applicant has already developed with low intensity, ammonia and high of the substance
`
`concentration conditions of the new method for the effective treatment of biornass. The
`
`applicants havediscovered, the method of the present invention surprisingly very successful,
`this is because to avoid compaction of biomass at any stage, and therefore in the biomass
`compaction in the system with processing the reactant to improve the penetrability of the
`
`raw material. In the in the system of the compacting biomass, biomass compaction state can
`be eliminated, improving the reaction of the reactant with the processing thereof, but this
`requires high energy input and thus improves the cost of the system. In the method of the
`present invention, does nat need to remove compacted state steps or method.
`
`[O077] in order to reduce the cost of processing the raw material of a large scale, have
`developed the method of the present invention, whereinthe adding of the biomass non-
`compaction state in the fixed equipment, and will be in the same state non-campaction
`
`moving through the apparatus. non-compaction state by keeping the biomass, biornass
`material not be crushed natural smail hole and the channel. In the method of the present
`invention comprises processing the reactant far usein armnmonia and steam. These reactant
`non-compaction natural biomass capable of passing through the small hole and the channel,
`the fiber of the raw material and the woodfiber material provides rapid full effect. The
`processing method for processing high-efficient production of biomass, said biomass after
`effective saccharifications in order to produce the fermentable sugar, and therefore the units
`of each enzyme dosage to the reaction time of the biomass carbohydrate to solution high
`
`conversion rate.
`
`(0078) Reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 can be preferably a schematic diagram of
`geographical xie Ben method of treating biomass of the invention, the piston/cylinder
`apparatus for displaying a schematic diagram of the two embodiments, and the following in
`the treatment process ofthis invention in the description of using the device, For graphic
`clarity, these Figures are simplified, wherein some components omitted as shawn in Figure 3
`and Figure 4 the flange in. Figure Lis the apparatus in the test-scale reactor, It comprises a
`
`

`

`horizontal cylindrical shape room(10), with an open states the cylinder room the end of the
`ist order to be used for adding biomass (11), after adding biomass by inserting the movable
`plug (12) to seal it, the movable plug used for a certain type of piston. Cylindrical chamber
`having ist can seal part (13) in order to be used for adding an aqueous ammonia solution,
`2nd port can be sealed (14) in order to be used for the cylindrical steam to the biomass shape
`room , the port can be sealed and 3rd (15) in order to be used for applying a vacuum. Steam is
`injected to increase the temperature of the biomass and ammonia-water mixture in order to
`be used for the treatment reaction. Heat insulation jacket (16) coveringthe cylindrical shape
`
`room.
`
`10079] in biomass, applied vacuum, and containing ammonia water solution and steam after
`foining, sealing port (13, 14, and 15) and Is kept at the required temperature. After a certain
`period of time, by moving the valve shaft (19) of the cylinder the end of the 2nd cylindrical
`opening (18) of the previous in closed dischargevalve (17). Valve shaft extends through the
`adjacentthe flash drum (21) separating the downward in the inside of the bent tube (20) in
`the hale, the distal flash drum and passes through the packing gland (22) until the actuator
`{23}, Through the cylindrical plug of the cylinder at the end of the ist ist end of the mabile,
`the biomass and ammonia mixture pushes through the discharge valve (17). Blomass through
`the discharge valveand through the bent pipe (20) into the flash drum (21) in. The upper
`cover of the opening at the bottom of the flash drum (24) allowto lead to pre-processing of
`the biomass. The port at the top of the flash drum (25} allowsteamta escape, and through
`thepipe (26) is connected to the condenser (27) upper.
`
`(0080) The invention embodimentof fig. 1 shown in its in the present invention apparatus and
`method for use in the treatment of the embodiment of described further below. The reactor
`
`type piston of thepiston equipped with a horizontal orientation 5.1 cm & 68.6 cm stainless
`steel cylinder. Four O-ring for sealing the piston to the cylinder, the piston and the back of the
`discharge period the piston Is pressurized with nitrogen (the most sastrowardoyo 5600KPa).
`68.6 cm cylinder equipped with eight multi-purpose port, alongthe top surface and a bottom
`surface 4 a, they allow for vacuum, ammonia injection, steam injection, and is inserted into
`the method to measure the temperature of the therrmocouple. Reactor-cylinderis equipped
`with a steam jacket is used for uniform heatingof the cylinder. The reactor-cylinder directly
`
`connected to the vertically-oriented 15.2 cm * 61cm stainless steel of the flash drum. The
`
`end of through the tapered nozzle and base shear valve arrangement of the cylinderis
`
`

`

`separated from the flash evaporation groove. The diameter of the cutting die head end valve
`is 3.5 cm. Tapered nozzie andis adjustable on the base of the back pressure of the, mast
`testing use -138kPa (measuring pressure) to the back pressure, make it enter 10.2 cm
`diameter in the air of the cylinder, the cylinder and the end of the conical nozzle is connected
`to the shear valve. Shearing of the valve the end of the tapered spout can be retracted a
`maximum of 1.6 cm, allowing the dischargeof the flash tank. Shear valve outlet in the end of
`the pipe to guide the treatment of solid downwardly into the bottom of the flash drum,
`wherein the solid can be through hits the slot easily rermove the dome at the bottom of the
`bolt. The upper part of theflash drurn to a steam chest flange is processed inte the flash drum
`with the axis of the slot is at right angle ta the special outlet, this causes the release of the
`
`steam along the corner path in the discharge device, helps to prevent the generation and
`
`water droplets left over from the biomass particles into the exhaust gas in the condenser.
`Along the flash drum three strip-like electric heater (as the 60 [...]) and insulation, so that the
`heat treatment of solid shem steams in the heating container, better method for the analog
`
`commercial scale,
`
`{0081] in another embodiment, small type piston reactor constructed as described above,
`besides 45.7 cm outside the cylinder, no steam jacket, the three strip-like electric heater, is
`covered with a siicone-filled glass fiber jacket of 2.5 cm thick as a heat-insulation glass fiber
`mat, and three multi-purpose port. Other part includes the large cylinder-piston reactor used
`
`in a flash drum, shear valve, and the bent tube.
`
`10082] Figure 2 the deviceis shown in the reactor design of a commercial scale. It includes in
`
`the end of the Ist (33) fitted with a piston (34) and the end of the 2nd (41) fitted with a
`discharge valve (40) of the horizontal cylindrical cylinder. The heat insulation treatment of the
`cylinder and has a non-permeable wall. The branch pipes (31) is connected to the Ist end
`close to, and the valve (35) is positioned in the feed valve is not connected to the end of the
`branch pipe, The hopper (30) is connected ta the branch pipe of the tail end of the valve.
`Biomass is added through the hopper. non-compaction can be used to control the How-
`guiding device from the hopper (30) the biomass is added to the branch pipe (31) in. Branch
`tine has Ist sealing port (36) and 2nd seal port (37), they are used for when the ammonia
`water and steam moving when to the cylindrical cylinder, to the biomass in the branch pipe.
`
`2nd valve (38) is divided into cylindrical lst shape room the cylinder (32) and the 2nd cylinder
`
`shape room (39). Biomass and armmonia-water mixture through the branch pipe into the ist
`
`

`

`chamber, wherein by adding the steam reach the required temperature and pressure. The
`piston is moved through the non-permeable cylinder to promote biomass and ammonia-
`water mixture from chamber through opening of the lst 2nd valve (38) into the 2nd chamber,
`and the 2nd chamber(39) through the contents of the opened discharge valve (40)is
`transferred to the flash drum (42) in. 2nd chamber is previously moved to the chamber under
`the conditions of use and the requiredtime of dealing with the reaction of the blomass and
`the ammonia-water mixture. Then turn off 2nd vaive (38) and is pulled back to the piston (34)
`in orderto Ist cylindrical shape room (32) to a loaded substance and repeat the cycle
`process. in flash drum {42} in, biomass move through the downward bentpipe {43}, The upper
`cover of the opening at the bottom of the flash drum (44) allow to lead to pre-processing of
`
`the biomass. The port at the top of the flash drum (45) allows the ammonia steam from
`
`escaping, and through the pipe (46) is connected to the condenser (47) the upper.
`
`{0083] Can use the carbon steel or stainless steel to manufacture the device. Cylindrical
`cylinder can be as shown In Figure 1 and 2 is horizontal the, or it may be a vertical type. As
`shown in Figure 2 with vertical of the cylinder af the branch pipe and the happer will be
`adapted to allow the biomass into the cylinder chamber, such as at less than 90 degrees of
`angle. Those of skill in the art will be able to easily dispose the device with the vertical
`cylinder. For example, the vertical-type cylinder can be positioned in the flash drum andis
`connected with the above, the connection is not a downward bend, because flow through the
`discharge valve will have already the downwards. Determining flash tank is vertical or
`horizontal and technical personnel in this field within the range of the capacity. In the
`method of the present invention the vertical groove Is more suitable forammonia treatment,
`it is conducive to removing and trapping ammonia released by the flash tank.
`
`(0084) Figure 1 and 2 two embodiments in the similar function, adding biomass and make the
`mobile through the reactor under non-compaction state. The plan with achamber 1 of the
`embodimentis a one-time processing of the blomass sample batch system. Figure 2 with the
`embodiments of the two separately through the valve chamber, allows the semi-continuous
`or batch operation, the blomassis loadedat the same time bya plurality of times. In the 2nd
`embodiment, full load after 2nd chamber, wherein each of the continuous biomass loading
`into the 2nd chamber associated with each piston displacement cycle through the discharge
`
`orifice to discharge the corresponding volume. 2nd chamberfor a certain period of time in
`the number of times thecycle of piston displacement, and hence the 2nd chambersize, with
`
`

`

`each of the biomass sample related to the required dwell time. The dwell time in the
`following text with reference to the method of the invention processing temperature and
`time for further discussion.
`
`{0085] The methodof the present invention is particularly suitable for processing with respect
`to the treatment reaction of the biomass, ammonia and steam mixture of the weight of the
`higher biomass dry weight of the biornass. High expectations the treatment of heavy
`concentration of biomass in order to offer the saccharified hydrolysate concerttration of
`sugar production of the biomass. The provision of such biomass the characteristics of the
`method of the invention itis not extruded, thus allowing the concentration of effective
`processing of high dry weight of the biomass. The method of this invention is used for the
`initial dry weight of the biomass, blomass and ammonia water of the total weight of the
`mixture of at least about 15%. More typical, biomass dry weight of at least about 20%and can
`be at least about 30%, 45%, 50%, or higher. The percentage dry weight of the biomass can be
`changed, and different types of blomass from the best percentage can be different. For
`example, when using the corn cobs, expect at least about 24%of the dry weight percentage,
`in order to offer saccharifications pretreatment of sufficient concentration to fermentation of
`
`biomass te produce the fermentable sugars to ethanol. More suitable is at least about 30%of
`the biomass of corn. The technology in the field of decision to high sugar hydrolysis product
`for the production method of the invention in a particular t