Abstract: A steam separation unit for separation of steam from lignocellulosic biomass material in a hydrolysis process includes a treatment vessel including a separation section and a biomass collection section. The separation section is arranged with at least one inlet for receiving at least partly hydrolyzed biomass material mixed with steam and at least one control outlet for discharging the steam from the vessel. A biomass collection section arranged to be filled at least partly with liquid during operation and coupled to the separation section to collect the biomass material after separation from steam, wherein the biomass collection section includes a mixing element for mixing the biomass material with liquid and at least one control valve for discharging biomass material mixed with liquid. A system for hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass material including such a separation unit is also presented.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding and dewatering lignocellulosic material in a hydrolysis process between a first reactor unit, where the material is partly hydrolyzed, to a second reactor unit, wherein the first reactor unit operates at a first pressure and the second reactor unit operates at a second pressure being higher than the first pressure. The arrangement includes a first plug screw feeder arranged to receive the partly hydrolyzed material from the first reactor unit and being arranged to compress, dewater and transport the material, wherein the first screw feeder is arranged to operate at a pressure being higher than the first pressure. A dilution vessel is coupled to receive material from the first plug screw feeder and including a liquid inlet for receiving liquid to wash the material, wherein the dilution vessel is arranged to maintain or increase the pressure (PDM).

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding and dewatering lignocellulosic material in a hydrolysis process between a first reactor unit, where the material is partly hydrolyzed, to a second reactor unit, wherein the first reactor unit operates at a first pressure and the second reactor unit operates at a second pressure being higher than the first pressure. The arrangement includes a first plug screw feeder arranged to receive the partly hydrolyzed material from the first reactor unit and being arranged to compress, dewater and transport the material, wherein the first screw feeder is arranged to operate at a pressure being higher than the first pressure. A dilution vessel is coupled to receive material from the first plug screw feeder and including a liquid inlet for receiving liquid to wash the material, wherein the dilution vessel is arranged to maintain or increase the pressure (PDM).

Abstract: A steam separation unit for separation of steam from lignocellulosic biomass material in a hydrolysis process includes a treatment vessel including a separation section and a biomass collection section. The separation section is arranged with at least one inlet for receiving at least partly hydrolyzed biomass material mixed with steam and at least one control outlet for discharging the steam from the vessel. A biomass collection section arranged to be filled at least partly with liquid during operation and coupled to the separation section to collect the biomass material after separation from steam, wherein the biomass collection section includes a mixing element for mixing the biomass material with liquid and at least one control valve for discharging biomass material mixed with liquid. A system for hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass material including such a separation unit is also presented.

Abstract: Methods clean a gripping device (5) of a milking station (1) for milking animals. Methods include initiating (21) a gripper device cleaning procedure, moving (22) the gripper device (5) to a cleaning position, and carrying out (23) the gripper device cleaning procedure. Efficient and automatic cleaning of gripper devices is provided. Milking systems also include apparatuses for cleaning a gripper device.

Abstract: A griper device mountable on a robot arm of a milking robot provided for automatically attach teat cups to the teats of a milking animal, the gripper device comprises an electromagnet from gripping teat cups made of a magnetic material, the electromagnet including a coil feedable with a current a core of a magnetic material arranged at least partly within the coil; and a support structure for holding the electromagnet. The core comprises two end and portions in a single face of the electromagnet wherein the two end portions constitute different poles of the electromagnet and are shaped to be engagable with each of the teat cups in a close fit.

Abstract: A method for animal management is provided in a milking system including a a milking box, a milking apparatus for milking animals, an enclosed waiting area from which the animals are capable of entering the milking box, and a gate arrangement, in which each of the animals is allowed to enter and pass the waiting area if the animal, after having been identified, fulfills a criterion. The method includes measuring a time an animal waits in the waiting area before being milked; determining a ranking for the animal based on the time, the ranking being a measure of a hierarchic order of the animal among the animals milked in the milking system; and performing an action with regard to the milking system depending on the determined ranking.

Abstract: A detecting arrangement for a magnetic gripper device (3) mountable on a robot arm (10) of a milking robot (2) provided for automatically attaching teat cups (5) to the teats of a milking animal, wherein the magnetic gripper device is adapted for gripping teat cups made of or comprising a magnetic material and comprises a primary coil (31) feedable with a current and a core (33) of a magnetic material arranged at least partly within the primary coil. The detecting arrangement comprises means (41, 43; 43; 53) for repetitively sensing a magnetic field, an inductance, or a change thereof, as caused by a teat cup (5) when being present at, or gripped by, the magnetic gripper device (3); and means (44; 54) for repetitively detecting whether the magnetic gripper device is holding a teat cup or not based on said repetitive sensing of the magnetic field, the inductance, or the change thereof.

Abstract: A griper device mountable on a robot arm of a milking robot provided for automatically attach teat cups to the teats of a milking animal, the gripper device comprises an electromagnet from gripping teat cups made of a magnetic material, the electromagnet including a coil feedable with a current a core of a magnetic material arranged at least partly within the coil; and a support structure for holding the electromagnet. The core comprises two end and portions in a single face of the electromagnet wherein the two end portions constitute different poles of the electromagnet and are shaped to be engagable with each of the teat cups in a close fit.

Abstract: A gripper device mountable on a robot arm (10) of a milking robot (2) provided for automatically attach teat cups (5) to the teats of a milking animal, the gripper device comprises an electromagnet (6) from gripping teat cups made of a magnetic material, the electromagnet including a coil (31) feedable with a current a core (33) of a magnetic material arranged at least partly within the coil; and a support structure (7) for holding the electromagnet. The core comprises two end and portions (33a-b) in a single face of the electromagnet, wherein the two end portions constitute different poles of the electromagnet, and are shaped to be engagable with each of the teat cups in a close fit.

Abstract: A method for animal management is provided in a milking system comprising a milking box (13), a milking apparatus (13d) for milking animals (10), an enclosed waiting area (14) from which the animals are capable of entering the milking box, and a gate arrangement (14a), through which each of the animals is allowed to pass to enter the waiting area if the animal, after having been identified, fulfills a criterion. The method comprises the steps of measuring (21) a time an animal waits in the waiting area before being milked; determining (22) a rank number for the animal based on the time, the rank number being a measure of the hierarchic order of the animal among the animals milked in the milking system; and performing (23) an action with regard to the milking system depending on the determined rank number.