Abstract: A system for treatment of a biomass material and a method for transporting biomass material, said system comprising: —a first vessel (3) in which said biomass material is treated at a first pressure;—a second vessel (5) in which said biomass material is collected at a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure; and—a transporting pipe (7) connecting an outlet (9) of the first vessel (3) with an inlet (11) of the second vessel (5) for transporting the biomass material from the first vessel to the second vessel, wherein said transporting pipe (7) comprises at least one restriction (13) for control of the flow in the transporting pipe and hereby providing a pressure drop to the transported biomass material, wherein at least one of said at least one restriction (13) is provided somewhere in the second half of the length of the transporting pipe (7) starting from the first vessel (3) and ending at the second vessel (5).

Abstract: A method for continuously treating biomass material includes: feeding the biomass material into a substantially vertically arranged pressurized vessel; adding steam to said pressurized vessel for hydrothermal treatment of the biomass material, wherein said adding steam comprises adding steam at a lower portion of the pressurized vessel; discharging the biomass material from a bottom portion of the pressurized vessel using a discharge device; withdrawing vapor from a top portion of the pressurized vessel, and adding said vapor to the discharge device; controlling differential pressure between said top portion of the pressurized vessel and said discharge device by controlling a flow of said vapor; and determining a minimum flow of steam needed to heat the biomass material in the pressurized vessel to a predetermined temperature, wherein said adding steam comprises adding steam at a flow that is higher than said minimum flow.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a treatment process system for biomass material and methods for such system. The system comprises a first dewatering stage arranged to receive biomass material, to remove liquid from the biomass material, and to feed the biomass material forward in the process. Further, the system includes a water treatment stage arranged to collect the removed liquid and an addition stage located downstream said dewatering stage and operatively coupled to the first dewatering stage. The addition stage is arranged to receive the de-watered biomass material, wherein the addition stage includes inlets for adding acid containing solution into the addition stage. A reactor stage arranged to receive the biomass material treated in the addition stage and to perform a pre-hydrolysis process to the biomass material. A filtrate feeding arrangement is arranged to feed liquid from the filtrate tank to the reactor stage.

Abstract: A pre-hydrolysis pressure vessel system includes; a material inlet for receiving biomass material to be treated in the pre-hydrolysis pressure vessel system and a material outlet for expelling treated biomass material out from the pre-hydrolysis pressure vessel system; a transport screw arrangement including a transport screw provided inside an enclosing housing of the transport screw arrangement, said transport screw being configured for transporting biomass material through the enclosing housing towards the material outlet of the pre-hydrolysis pressure vessel system. The enclosing housing includes a cleaning arrangement that includes: at least one elongated fluid channel positioned in connection with an inner wall of the enclosing housing and wherein said at least one elongated fluid channel comprises a number of fluid outlets, and at least one cleaning fluid inlet which is provided through the enclosing housing in fluid connection with the at least one fluid channel.

Abstract: A system for treatment of a biomass material, said system comprising: a first vessel (3) in which said biomass material is treated under a first pressure; a second vessel (5) in which said biomass material is received and held at a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure; a transporting pipe (7) connecting an outlet (9) of the first vessel (3) with an inlet (11) of the second vessel (5) for transporting the biomass material from the first vessel to the second vessel; and a valve (15; 15?; 15) arranged in said transporting pipe (7), said valve being configured for controlling the flow of biomass material and fluid in the transporting pipe (7), wherein said transporting pipe (7) is asymmetrically connected to an outlet (33?; 33) of said valve (15; 15?; 15) such that a generated jet stream of biomass material delivered out from the outlet (33?; 33) of the valve (15; 15?; 15) is received closer to a transporting pipe longitudinal central axis (A1) than if the outlet (33?; 33) of the valve (15; 15?;

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a cleaning system for biomass material handling systems and methods for such system. The cleaning system for a biomass material treatment stage in a continuous process system includes a hydrolysis or pre-hydrolysis reactor, a feeding arrangement is arranged to continuously feed biomass material to an inlet of the reactor, wherein reactor includes a reactor screw for moving the biomass material through the reactor and a discharge pipe including a discharge screw for continuously discharging treated biomass material. At least one high-pressure cleaning nozzle is arranged inside a housing of said reactor, wherein the at least one high-pressure cleaning nozzle is arranged to eject cleaning agent at predetermined intervals during operation of the reactor.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and device for treating biomass in which thermally treated biomass is discharged from a pressurized prehydrolysis reactor unit and dewatered before it is cooled with cold liquid. The cooled slurry of biomass is then enzymatically treated.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a treatment process system for biomass material and methods for h such system. The system comprises a first dewatering stage arranged to receive biomass material, to remove liquid from the biomass material, and to feed the biomass material forward in the process. Further, the system includes a water treatment stage arranged to collect the removed liquid and an addition stage located downstream said dewatering stage and operatively coupled to the first dewatering stage. The addition stage is arranged to receive the de-watered biomass material, wherein the addition stage includes inlets for adding acid containing solution into the addition stage. A reactor stage arranged to receive the biomass material treated in the addition stage and to perform a pre-hydrolysis process to the biomass material. A filtrate feeding arrangement is arranged to feed liquid from the filtrate tank to the reactor stage.

Abstract: A system for feeding lignocellulosic biomass material, comprising a pre-compressing stage for receiving biomass material and pre-compressing the material at a first pressure and a first compression ratio. A plug screw feeder receives the pre-compressed material and feeds the material against a second pressure and a second compression ratio, wherein the plug screw feeder includes a variable speed plug screw arranged in the plug screw feeder connected to a variable speed plug screw power source.

Abstract: A system for treatment of a biomass material, said system comprising: a first vessel (3) in which said biomass material is treated under a first pressure; a second vessel (5) in which said biomass material is received and held at a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure; a transporting pipe (7) connecting an outlet (9) of the first vessel (3) with an inlet (11) of the second vessel (5) for transporting the biomass material from the first vessel to the second vessel; and a valve (15; 15?; 15) arranged in said transporting pipe (7), said valve being configured for controlling the flow of biomass material and fluid in the transporting pipe (7), wherein said transporting pipe (7) is asymmetrically connected to an outlet (33?; 33) of said valve (15; 15?; 15) such that a generated jet stream of biomass material delivered out from the outlet (33?; 33) of the valve (15; 15?; 15) is received closer to a transporting pipe longitudinal central axis (A1) than if the outlet (33?; 33) of the valve (15; 15?;

Abstract: A system for treatment of a biomass material and a method for transporting biomass material, said system comprising: —a first vessel (3) in which said biomass material is treated at a first pressure;—a second vessel (5) in which said biomass material is collected at a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure; and—a transporting pipe (7) connecting an outlet (9) of the first vessel (3) with an inlet (11) of the second vessel (5) for transporting the biomass material from the first vessel to the second vessel, wherein said transporting pipe (7) comprises at least one restriction (13) for control of the flow in the transporting pipe and hereby providing a pressure drop to the transported biomass material, wherein at least one of said at least one restriction (13) is provided somewhere in the second half of the length of the transporting pipe (7) starting from the first vessel (3) and ending at the second vessel (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) comprising a feeding device (2) comprising a channel (6) having an inlet (8) and an outlet (10) and a feed screw (12) for conveying biomass material through the channel. The feed screw comprises a screw flight (12b) that extends from a first end (12c) to a second end (12d) and is adapted to form a gas impermeable plug of biomass. The system comprises at least one primary measuring unit (14; 16) adapted to continuously measure a primary variable indicative of the gas permeability of the plug, which primary measuring unit is connected to said feeding device between the first end of the screw flight and the outlet; and a control unit (3) adapted to use said primary variable values to monitor the gas permeability of the plug. The invention also relates to a method for preventing blow back in the above described system.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a cleaning system for biomass material handling systems and methods for such system. The cleaning system for a biomass material treatment stage in a continuous process system includes a hydrolysis or pre-hydrolysis reactor, a feeding arrangement is arranged to continuously feed biomass material to an inlet of the reactor, wherein reactor includes a reactor screw for moving the biomass material through the reactor and a discharge pipe including a discharge screw for continuously discharging treated biomass material. At least one high-pressure cleaning nozzle is arranged inside a housing of said reactor, wherein the at least one high-pressure cleaning nozzle is arranged to eject cleaning agent at predetermined intervals during operation of the reactor.

Abstract: Chain clamp and method for clamping around an elongated object and for serving as a support for separate objects. The chain clamp includes a plurality of links with a first link and a second link, and with each link having two attachment portions, a connection member connecting links, and a tensioner adapted to connect to the first and second link and to force the links towards each other to tension the chain clamp and clamp it around the elongated object. At least one link is a piece cut from an elongated extrusion and has a fixed cross-sectional profile and a longitudinal direction, wherein each of the two attachment portions of the at least one link are defined by a respective portion of the cross sectional profile and its continuation along the longitudinal direction of the at least one link.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A feeding arrangement for feeding lignocellulosic biomass material such as annual plant material towards a hydrolysis process includes at least one transportation device for transporting the biomass material towards the treatment process; and at least one tearing roll arranged at a predetermined distance from the at least one transportation device and being provided with tearing protrusion. The at least one tearing roll is arranged with a predetermined distance to the at least one transportation device to tear off parts of the transported material to provide a substantially continuous flow of material.

Abstract: A feeding arrangement for feeding lignocellulosic biomass material such as annual plant material towards a hydrolysis process includes at least one transportation device for transporting the biomass material towards the treatment process; and at least one tearing roll arranged at a predetermined distance from the at least one transportation device and being provided with tearing protrusion. The at least one tearing roll is arranged with a predetermined distance to the at least one transportation device to tear off parts of the transported material to provide a substantially continuous flow of material.

Abstract: Chain clamp and method for clamping around an elongated object and for serving as a support for separate objects. The chain clamp includes a plurality of links with a first link and a second link, and with each link having two attachment portions, a connection member connecting links, and a tensioner adapted to connect to the first and second link and to force the links towards each other to tension the chain clamp and clamp it around the elongated object. At least one link is a piece cut from an elongated extrusion and has a fixed cross-sectional profile and a longitudinal direction, wherein each of the two attachment portions of the at least one link are defined by a respective portion of the cross sectional profile and its continuation along the longitudinal direction of the at least one link.

Abstract: In an outlet flow control arrangement (1) arrangeable to control a flow of material through an outlet (2) with a predetermined diameter arranged at an end of a pressurized processing container (3), the outlet flow control arrangement (1) comprises an adaptor unit (4) configured so that a cross-section of a flow into the adaptor unit (4) is reduced as compared to a cross-section of the outlet (2), to enable the adaptor unit (4) to control and center a flow of processed material out of the processing container (3) and through the outlet (2) into a discharge pipe (5).