A device for converting cellulose to sugar has a reaction chamber with a plurality of control components, and a control assembly. The control assembly is operatively connected to the reaction chamber, a drive assembly and control components to transmit and receive interoperability signals. The device has an inlet hopper with a detector, a crusher, an outlet hopper, a sensor assembly, a steam inlet, and a carbon dioxide inlet. The inlet hopper is configured to receive and analyze proportion data of matters in a feedstock and catalyst mixture via the detector. The crusher receives and grinds the mixture from the inlet hopper to induce chemical reaction for producing sugar. The outlet hopper is configured to determine a proportion data of matter in the grinded mixture. The control assembly is configured to determine adjustments need to be performed on the components and drive assembly to optimize the sugar production.

An extruder and valve system comprises a conduit for conveying a biomass stream using a plurality of injector assemblies to provide water or other fluids and/or steam for pretreatment. Each injector in the assembly is connected to a corresponding port in the extruder. The ports can be positioned at discrete locations of the extruder or beyond to deliver the appropriate amount of fluid or steam for the processing of biomass or other materials.

An extruder and valve system comprises a conduit for conveying a biomass stream using a plurality of injector assemblies to provide water or other fluids and/or steam for pretreatment. Each injector in the assembly is connected to a corresponding port in the extruder. The ports can be positioned at discrete locations of the extruder or beyond to deliver the appropriate amount of fluid or steam for the processing of biomass or other materials.

The present invention relates to the field of renewable energy. More specifically, the present invention relates to the production of biofuel from biomass including, for example, polymeric materials.

An installation for carrying out a continuous multi-stage industrial process includes a housing that defines a first space and a second space that is connected to the first through a first connecting channel. Different pressure conditions prevail in these spaces during the course of the process. A process material is passed sequentially through the first space, the first connecting channel and the second space. A transported material is provided in the first connecting channel to form a free-flowing sealing zone with the process material and ensures that different process conditions will be maintained in the two spaces, and in particular that different pressures will be maintained in the two spaces. The invention also relates to a multi-stage continuous industrial process using such an installation.

A reactor arrangement for pre-hydrolysis of biomass material. The reactor arrangement comprises a reactor vessel arranged substantially horizontally, wherein the vessel comprises an inlet for receiving the biomass material arranged at an upper portion of the vessel. The inlet may be arranged at a first longitudinal end of the vessel. The vessel may furthermore comprise an outlet at a second longitudinal end of the vessel. The reactor arrangement further comprises a set of steam injection orifices arranged to inject or supply steam into the reactor vessel. The set of steam injection orifices comprises at least two orifices arranged below the inlet at a distance from each other. The at least two orifices may be arranged at a distance from each other in the lateral direction of the reactor vessel. Furthermore, a method for pre-hydrolysis treatment of biomass in a substantially horizontal reactor vessel is provided.

A reactor arrangement for pre-hydrolysis of biomass material. The reactor arrangement comprises a reactor vessel arranged substantially horizontally, wherein the vessel comprises an inlet for receiving the biomass material arranged at an upper portion of the vessel. The inlet may be arranged at a first longitudinal end of the vessel. The vessel may furthermore comprise an outlet at a second longitudinal end of the vessel. The reactor arrangement further comprises a set of steam injection orifices arranged to inject or supply steam into the reactor vessel. The set of steam injection orifices comprises at least two orifices arranged below the inlet at a distance from each other. The at least two orifices may be arranged at a distance from each other in the lateral direction of the reactor vessel. Furthermore, a method for pre-hydrolysis treatment of biomass in a substantially horizontal reactor vessel is provided.

In accordance with one embodiment, a processing device includes a heated internal wall and a rotating rod positioned within an interior space formed by the heated internal wall. The rotating rod may be hollow and act as an internal heat exchanger. The processing device also includes a plurality of baffles spaced apart from one another along the rotating rod and extending away from the rotating rod towards the heated internal wall. The plurality of baffles or porous, packed basket that rotates with the rotating rod that also may be configured to provide cooling relative to the heated internal wall. The processing device also includes at least one wiper or roller coupled to an edge of at least one of the plurality of baffles or porous, packed basket, coupled to the rotating rod and that contacts the heated internal wall while rotating together with the rotating rod. In another embodiment, a processing device may be used to adsorb reactive gases into a liquid phase while heat is exchanged.

An agitator or mixer installed in a solid-liquid-gas/slurry reactor in which gas removal from the slurry and foam destruction is promoted. The reaction mixer includes a vessel and an agitator assembly. The vessel is for containing the solid-liquid-gas mixture and defines two mixing zones within a given volume; a first mixing zone and a second mixing zone located above the first mixing zone. The agitator assembly is positionable within the vessel and comprises a rotatable shaft and a first and second impeller coupled to the shaft. The first axial impeller is locatable within the first mixing zone and is configured to pump the liquid in a downward direction along a vertical axis of rotation. The second impeller is locatable within the second fluxing zone and is configured to pump the liquid in an upward direction along the vertical axis of rotation.

An agitator or mixer installed in a solid-liquid-gas/slurry reactor in which gas removal from the slurry and foam destruction is promoted. The reaction mixer includes a vessel and an agitator assembly. The vessel is for containing the solid-liquid-gas mixture and defines two mixing zones within a given volume; a first mixing zone and a second mixing zone located above the first mixing zone. The agitator assembly is positionable within the vessel and comprises a rotatable shaft and a first and second impeller coupled to the shaft. The first axial impeller is locatable within the first mixing zone and is configured to pump the liquid in a downward direction along a vertical axis of rotation. The second impeller is locatable within the second fluxing zone and is configured to pump the liquid in an upward direction along the vertical axis of rotation.