The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for processing lignocellulosic material. The apparatus includes a vessel having a fluid separation plate disposed therein, a fluid circulating system in fluid communication with the vessel and various component parts including nozzles, valves, lines and pumps as needed for discharging processed lignocellulosic materials.

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for processing lignocellulosic material. The apparatus includes a vessel having a fluid separation plate disposed therein, a fluid circulating system in fluid communication with the vessel and various component parts including nozzles, valves, lines and pumps as needed for discharging processed lignocellulosic materials.

A system for processing lignocellulosic materials includes: a pressurization vessel configured to perform hydrothermal treatment of the lignocellulosic materials using saturated or superheated steam; a pressure sealing screw configured to continuously discharge hydrothermally treated lignocellulosic material from the pressurization vessel to a discharge chamber; a control valve configured to add steam to the discharge chamber for pressure control; and a discharge nozzle configured to discharge the lignocellulosic material and steam from the discharge chamber with expansion of steam. The control valve is configured to add the steam to the discharge chamber so as to control a pressure in the discharge chamber to different levels at varying flow rates of the lignocellulosic material and to thereby control a ratio of an amount of steam that escapes through the discharge nozzle to an amount of the lignocellulosic material discharged through the discharge nozzle.

A system for processing lignocellulosic materials includes: a pressurization vessel configured to perform hydrothermal treatment of the lignocellulosic materials using saturated or superheated steam; a pressure sealing screw configured to continuously discharge hydrothermally treated lignocellulosic material from the pressurization vessel to a discharge chamber; a control valve configured to add steam to the discharge chamber for pressure control; and a discharge nozzle configured to discharge the lignocellulosic material and steam from the discharge chamber with expansion of steam. The control valve is configured to add the steam to the discharge chamber so as to control a pressure in the discharge chamber to different levels at varying flow rates of the lignocellulosic material and to thereby control a ratio of an amount of steam that escapes through the discharge nozzle to an amount of the lignocellulosic material discharged through the discharge nozzle.

A method for treating cellulosic biomass feed stock including: feeding the feed stock to an upper inlet of a vertical reactor vessel, wherein the feed stock is deposited on a pile of feed stock within the vertical reactor vessel; adding heat energy to heat the feed stock by injecting steam to an upper region of the vertical reactor vessel; propelling the feed stock through an outlet in a lower region of the vertical reactor vessel by injecting steam into the biomass at, near or after the bottom outlet of the vertical reactor vessel, and moving the propelled feed stock through an expansion device, such as a steam explosion device, to subject the feed stock to a steam explosion process.

A continuous process for production of cellulose pulp from grass-like plant feedstock for paper making. The process includes: preparing the grass-like plant feedstock by comminuting, dedusting, continuous digestion, disperging, diluting the cellulose pulp, screening and fractionation, concentration to remove black liquor, dilution with fresh water, and, optionally, pulp bleaching processes. The continuous digestion is performed in the vertical column at 70-100 C. for 40 minutes to 2 hours; average composition of thus formed digestion suspension is maintained within the following ranges: 0.9-1.5% w/w of NaOH; 0.15-0.4% w/w of NaCl or Na.sub.2SO.sub.3; and 15-18% w/w of grass-like plant feedstock; concentrations of ingredients being calculated on the weight of the liquid phase. Screening and fractionation are resulting with two fractions; one being further processed by milling, and another being further processed to final pulp with or without bleaching processes. The preferred grass-like feedstock for the process is miscanthus/Miscanthusgiganteus, Andersson/.

A continuous process for production of cellulose pulp from grass-like plant feedstock for paper making. The process includes: preparing the grass-like plant feedstock by comminuting, dedusting, continuous digestion, disperging, diluting the cellulose pulp, screening and fractionation, concentration to remove black liquor, dilution with fresh water, and, optionally, pulp bleaching processes. The continuous digestion is performed in the vertical column at 70-100 C. for 40 minutes to 2 hours; average composition of thus formed digestion suspension is maintained within the following ranges: 0.9-1.5% w/w of NaOH; 0.15-0.4% w/w of NaCl or Na.sub.2SO.sub.3; and 15-18% w/w of grass-like plant feedstock; concentrations of ingredients being calculated on the weight of the liquid phase. Screening and fractionation are resulting with two fractions; one being further processed by milling, and another being further processed to final pulp with or without bleaching processes. The preferred grass-like feedstock for the process is miscanthus/Miscanthusgiganteus, Andersson/.

The present invention relates to a method of and an arrangement for transferring a process liquid from a washing and thickening device to a subsequent process stage. In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the method and the arrangement are applicable, for example, in transferring fibre suspensions or pulps from washing and thickening device to a subsequent process stage in pulp and paper making industry such that the dilution of pulp after a washing and thickening device is performed in a stand pipe (18) below the surface level control range.

The present invention relates to a method of and an arrangement for transferring a process liquid from a washing and thickening device to a subsequent process stage. In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the method and the arrangement are applicable, for example, in transferring fibre suspensions or pulps from washing and thickening device to a subsequent process stage in pulp and paper making industry such that the dilution of pulp after a washing and thickening device is performed in a stand pipe (18) below the surface level control range.

The present invention relates to a method of and an arrangement for transferring a process liquid from a washing and thickening device to a subsequent process stage. In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the method and the arrangement are applicable, for example, in transferring fiber suspensions or pulps from washing and thickening device to a subsequent process stage in pulp and paper making industry such that the dilution of pulp after a washing and thickening device is performed in a stand pipe (18) below the surface level control range.