Abstract: The present invention provides a device for controlling steam explosion of biomass having a dry solids content above 1%, a VS content of above 20%, and including abrasive material, in a pressure relief vessel, which includes one or more blowdown conduits having at their outlets an adjustable open area for regulating the blowdown discharge rate. The adjustable open area of each of the one or more blowdown conduits are constructed in such a way that expansion/spray due to flashing takes place either inside the pressure relief vessel itself or in an additional inlet device through which the discharged biomass is directed from the adjustable open area and into the pressure relief vessel and which either have a large enough dimension to avoid the discharged biomass hitting essential parts of the construction or is made from a highly resistant/durable material.

Abstract: A method and plant for recovering phosphate from a biomass material, the biomass material suitably being a waste activated sludge from an upstream wastewater treatment process including a biological P removal process. The method includes an anaerobic digestion stage and steps for recovering independent streams rich in PO4 and Mg, or rich in PO4 and NH4, thereby increasing the amount of P recovered and avoiding struvite formation in the anaerobic digester and accessory equipment thereof, such as pipes.

Abstract: A method and plant for hydrolysis of a liquid substrate, having a dry solids content of between 2 and 30%, to be used in an anaerobic fermentation, digestion or another process aimed at producing or extracting methane or other valuable substances, which method and plant relies on the use of vacuum and several pulpers and one or several flashtanks in series for step-wise pre-heating and pressure reduction, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recovery of phosphate, in the form of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP), from a process for treating a biomass material which process comprises a digestion step performed in a digestion tank and includes a pre-treatment step employing a thermal hydrolysis, characterized in that a magnesium source is added to the material in the process flow before said flow enters the digestion tank, and phosphate is recovered as MAP as an integral part of a solid or semi-solid digestate product from the digestion tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recovery of phosphate, in the form of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP), from a process for treating a biomass material which process comprises a digestion step performed in a digestion tank and includes a pre-treatment step employing a thermal hydrolysis, characterised in that a magnesium source is added to the material in the process flow before said flow enters the digestion tank, and phosphate is recovered as MAP as an integral part of a solid or semi-solid digestate product from the digestion tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treatment of biomass material by fermentation, said method comprises a pre-treatment of the biomass material by thermal hydrolysis and wet explosion, resulting in an intermediate product having a dry matter concentration above 25% and temperature above 90° C. which is to be introduced to the fermentation, wherein a part of the content of the digestion tank used for the fermentation is recirculated and mixed with a part of the intermediate product from the pre-treatment.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and device for pretreatment of organic material, more specific bio mass, for energy conversion, where said method comprises a first preheating step with a preheating vessel (4), a hydrolysis step with a hydrolysis reactor (5) and a pressure reducing step with a pressure reduction vessel (6), where the transfer of said organic material from the preheating vessel (4) to the hydrolysis rector (5) is effected by gravity and by creating a vacuum in the reactor (5). This method results in a very fast transfer of material from the preheating vessel (4) to the reactor (5). In addition, the filling volume of the reactor (5) is being controlled by a high frequency pressure sensor and supply of steam (3A) to the top of the reactor in order to provide the necessary head space. The invention also describes a device for performing said method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treatment of biomass material by fermentation, said method comprises a pre-treatment of the biomass material by thermal hydrolysis and wet explosion, resulting in an intermediate product having a dry matter concentration above 25% and temperature above 90° C. which is to be introduced to the fermentation, wherein a part of the content of the digestion tank used for the fermentation is recirculated and mixed with a part of the intermediate product from the pre-treatment.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and device for pretreatment of organic material, more specific bio mass, for energy conversion, where said method comprises a first preheating step with a preheating vessel (4), a hydrolysis step with a hydrolysis reactor (5) and a pressure reducing step with a pressure reduction vessel (6), where the transfer of said organic material from the preheating vessel (4) to the hydrolysis rector (5) is effected by gravity and by creating a vacuum in the reactor (5). This method results in a very fast transfer of material from the preheating vessel (4) to the reactor (5). In addition, the filling volume of the reactor (5) is being controlled by a high frequency pressure sensor and supply of steam (3A) to the top of the reactor in order to provide the necessary head space. The invention also describes a device for performing said method.

Abstract: A method is described for thermal biological breakdown and dewatering of biomass, which is characterised in that it comprises the following steps: lead the biological residue material (8) from a digesting tank (6) to a dewatering device (9) and dewater the material to typically 15-25% dry matter, lead the dewatered material (10) to a device (12) and carry out a thermal hydrolysis at typically 145-170° C. for typically 10-40 minutes, subject the hydrolysed biomass (14) to a quick pressure reduction that results in a steam explosion in the biomass, dewater the thermally hydrolysed and steam exploded hot biomass (14), at typically 85-105° C.

Abstract: It is described a process for thermal hydrolysis and team explosion of biomass, said method comprising the steps of: (i) leading the biomass approximately continuous to a first preheating step and preheat the biomass, (ii) leading the preheated biomass into at least two reactors sequentially, (iii) heating and pressurising the reactor by addition of steam, (iv) keeping the reactor(s) at a certain temperature and pressure for a certain time, (v) leading the heated and pressurized biomass from the reactor(s) to a first pressure relief tank without any substantial pressure reduction and quickly relief the pressure of the biomass by means of a nozzle, in order to disintegrate the biomass, (vi) leading the biomass from the first pressure relief tank to a second pressure relief tank having a lower pressure than the pressure of the first pressure relief tank, (vii) leading the so treated biomass to a downstream facility for subsequent treatment. The invention also comprises a device for thermal treatment of biomass.