초록 ▼

A method is provided for hydrolyzing polysaccharides in a lignocellulosic feedstock to produce monosaccharides or pretreating a lignocellulosic feedstock, in which an aqueous slurry of the lignocellulosic feedstock is fed into a pressurized dewatering zone wherein the feedstock is partially dewatere

A method is provided for hydrolyzing polysaccharides in a lignocellulosic feedstock to produce monosaccharides or pretreating a lignocellulosic feedstock, in which an aqueous slurry of the lignocellulosic feedstock is fed into a pressurized dewatering zone wherein the feedstock is partially dewatered and then is compressed into a plug. The plug is introduced into a reaction zone that operates at a pressure (Pr) equal to greater than about 90 psia and under suitable temperature and pH conditions to hydrolyze the polysaccharides or pretreat the feedstock. The plug provides a pressure seal between the outlet of the dewatering zone and the reaction zone. The pressure (Pdwi) of the aqueous slurry of the lignocellulosic feedstock at the inlet of the dewatering device is related to Pr as follows: 0≦ΔPthe lesser of (Pr−20 psia) and 220 psia, andwhere ΔP is the absolute difference in pressure between Pr and Pdwi in psia.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for hydrolyzing polysaccharides in a lignocellulosic feedstock to produce monosaccharides, comprising: a) providing interconnected dewatering, plug formation and reaction zones, each of the dewatering, plug formation and reaction zones being provided with an inlet zone and an outlet zone

1. A method for hydrolyzing polysaccharides in a lignocellulosic feedstock to produce monosaccharides, comprising: a) providing interconnected dewatering, plug formation and reaction zones, each of the dewatering, plug formation and reaction zones being provided with an inlet zone and an outlet zone, the outlet zone of the dewatering zone being operationally associated with the inlet zone of the plug formation zone and the outlet zone of the plug formation zone being operationally associated with the inlet zone to the reaction zone, wherein the pressure (Pr) in the reaction zone is from about 90 to about 680 psia;b) feeding an aqueous slurry of the lignocellulosic feedstock to the dewatering zone to produce a partially dewatered lignocellulosic feedstock and an aqueous liquid, wherein the pressure (Pdwi) of the aqueous slurry of the lignocellulosic feedstock at the inlet zone of the dewatering zone is related to Pr as follows:0≦ΔP