Abstract: Apparatus for disintegrating solids resulting from partial hydrolysis of cellulosic or lignocellulosic material comprising a cylindrical chamber having a perforated mid portion and a plurality of hammer elements supported for rotation within and coaxially to the chamber with their tips close to the perforated mid portion of the chamber. This disintegrator may be connected to the lower end of a hydrolyzer to receive the product of hydrolysis from such chamber.

Abstract: A method of hydrolyzing cellulose to glucose and other saccharides, involving the bringing together in a reaction area an alphacellulose containing material, water, an effective amount of a calcium chloride catalyst and a minor amount of HCl. The temperature of said reaction mixture is adjusted to between 150.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. at a pressure of at least 160 psig for a retention time of at least 10 seconds in the reaction area to convert the alphacellulose to glucose and other saccharides. The method involves the use of HCl on a total mass basis, ranging from 0.025% to 1.0% by weight of the reaction mixture which is fed into the reactor.

Abstract: Microcrystalline cellulose has many applications in the pharmaceutical, food, paper and structural composite industries. Level off DP (Degree of Polymerization) microcrystalline cellulose is made up of a chain of about 250 glucose molecules in the form of microcrystal. In nature, several microcrystals are hinged together and surrounded by amorphous cellulose to form a cellulose microfibril. If the amorphous cellulose is removed, the resultant product is called level off DP (Degree of Polymerization) microcrystalline cellulose. When lignocellulosic material is processed according to applicant's earlier processes (Canadian Pat. Nos. 1,096,374 and 1,141,376), the dissociated material is partitioned by removing the lignin and the xylan leaving a low DP (320) cellulose fraction.

Abstract: An improved process for pretreating biomasses in advance of their enzymatic treatment is provided which process comprises subjecting a biomass together with an aqueous solution of an alkaline compound to kneading and reaction in a biaxial extruder, and which process has advantages that a continuous treatment in a very short time is possible, and the heat quantity required for the pretreatment is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A method of hydrolyzing cellulose to glucose and other saccharides, involving the bringing together in a reaction area an alphacellulose containing material, water, an effective amount of a calcium chloride catalyst and a minor amount of a hydrogen ion in a feedstock. The temperature of the feedstock is adjusted to between 150.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. at a pressure of at least 160 psig for a retention time of at least 20 seconds in the reaction area to convert the alphacellulose to said glucose and other saccharides.

Abstract: Ammonia caramel coloring is formed continuously by pumping a heated stream of corn syrup through a reaction zone under pressure. 4MeI content and THI content are maintained at a low level by preheating the ammonia catalyst prior to injection into the reaction zone. Preferably ammonia catalyst is added to the reaction zone at a plurality of injection ports. This permits rapid formation of ammonia caramel coloring without increasing the 4MeI of THI content, and without hazing of the caramel color.

Abstract: An apparatus used in the pretreatment of wood chips in a process for converting biomass to a liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel. The apparatus functions to break down the wood chips to a size distribution that can be readily handled in a slurry form. Low maintenance operation is obtained by hydrolyzing the chips in a pressure vessel having no moving parts.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the acid hydrolysis of waste cellulose to glucose of the type wherein waste cellulose is continuously fed into an inlet port of a twin screw extruder, water is continuously fed into reaction zone in the extruder, downstream of the inlet port, the cellulose is continuously reacted with water in the presence of an acid catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure in the reaction zone while being continuously conveyed to an outlet port of the extruder having a given diameter and the reacted cellulose is discharged from the extruder while the elevated temperature and pressure in the reaction zone is maintained. The elevated pressure is maintained by forming a dynamic seal zone at the upstream end of the reaction and continuously discharging the reacted material downstream of the outlet port at a predetermined volume rate of flow to maintain the pressure by passing the discharge through an orifice pipe having a smaller diameter than the given diameter of the outlet port.

Abstract: A moist ligno-cellulosic mass was impregnated under cooling with HCl gas then it was warmed up in order to cause said mass to hydrolyze and the excess of acid to escape, the brewing action consecutive to said desorption improving the efficiency of said hydrolysis.

Abstract: A sugar processing facility, including a boiler, a mixing tank, and an interconnecting assemblage of pumps, motors, control valves and liquid conduits, for commercially processing granulated sugar into either sucrose or invert sugar. The sugar processing facility is sized for integration into the production processes of commercial beverage bottling facilities and is operable on an unimproved site adjacent such facilities. The facility is mounted upon a standard sized flat bed trailer, thereby permitting it to be transported as a fully assembled and operable unit by standard rail, ocean freight, and road transportation methods to a desired processing location without having to first at least partially disassemble or otherwise specially adapt the facility for transportation.

Abstract: Process and device for hydrolyzing cellulose material in an extruder with two parallel screws in which the material introduced in the moist condition and, transported by the screws is malaxated, heated to a temperature of above 200.degree. C. in the downstream part of the extruder where it is contacted with an acid solution and progressively compressed, to a pressure higher than the saturated vapor pressure of the liquid phase of the hydrolyzed material at the temperature reached in the downstream part and maintained by a control device for the evacuation of the material.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for producing a modified carbohydrate material, preferably starch, in fluid form. In the process a starch slurry is continuously moved through a confined tubular preheat zone where heat is very rapidly transferred to the slurry, whereby the slurry passes through a gelation stage and forms into a hot free flowing liquid. The heat transfer is from superatmospheric steam surrounding at least part of the tubular heating zone, the temperature of the steam and the cross-sectional area of each tubular preheat zone being selected to rapidly transfer heat from the steam throughout the slurry and minimize the magnitude of the zone of high viscosity gel formed during the gelation stage. The hot liquid formed is immediately forced through a restrictive opening and into a confined tubular reaction zone accompanied by a sudden decrease in pressure whereby the starch is made highly reactive.

Abstract: A process for the hydrolysis of cellulose from vegetable raw materials to glucose, particularly using wood as the raw material, comprises conveying the raw material through a hydrolysis zone in finely comminuted form, the raw material being impregnated with dilute acid and at a sufficiently high hydrolysis temperature. The raw material impregnated with dilute acid is supplied in portions and continuously through the hydrolysis zone where it is heated to a hydrolysis temperature of above 250.degree. C. by means of high pressure steam. This takes place in an extremely short time accompanied by a sudden pressure rise.Apparatus for performing this process comprises a tubular reactor having at least one straight pipe through which can be conveyed an endless piston chain. The pistons of this chain form a leakage gap opposite the inner wall of the pipe and, in each case, two adjacent pistons define a piston chamber. A high pressure steam line is arranged to issue approximately into the center of the pipe.

Abstract: A method for continuous saccharification of plant raw material by feeding the raw material as such or prehydrolyzed and a dilute sulphuric acid solution into a flow reactor in order to hydrolyze the raw material under pressure and at a high temperature, discharging dry solids and liquid from the reactor by expansion and separating liquid and solids, wherein the raw material and sulfuric acid solution are led through the reactor at equal rate, which is the same as required by the more easily hydrolyzable particles of the raw material, the solids and liquid together are discharged into the same blow tank and at least part of the separated coarse solid is returned into the reactor.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the continuous hydrolysis of plant biomass containing cellulose and hemicellulose.

Abstract: Glucose-containing products can be manufactured in apparatus comprising a continuous screw conveyor member rotatable in a continuous press cylinder having three regions in cascade arrangement between an intake opening and an output opening. The regions comprise an intake region for the rapid and economical intake of different kinds of products, a compression region for building up a very high pressure of from about 20 to 300 bars for disintegrating the products and for heating the product by intensive shearing thereof to a temperature of up to 250.degree. C., and a catalyst injection region for intensive action on and mixing or hydrolysis of the cellulosic substances with trifluoroacetic acid or the like injected through nozzles.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the acid hydrolysis of waste cellulose to glucose of the type wherein waste cellulose is continuously fed into an inlet port of a twin screw extruder, water is continuously fed into reaction zone in the extruder, downstream of the inlet port, the cellulose is continuously reacted with water in the presence of an acid catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure in the reaction zone while being continuously conveyed to an outlet port of the extruder having a given diameter and the reacted cellulose is discharged from the extruder while the elevated temperature and pressure in the reaction zone is maintained. The elevated pressure is maintained by forming a dynamic seal zone at the upstream end of the reaction and continuously discharging the reacted material downstream of the outlet port at a predetermined volume rate of flow to maintain the pressure by passing the discharge through an orifice pipe having a smaller diameter than the given diameter of the outlet port.

Abstract: Method of treating biomass material wherein it is subjected to two stage hydrolysis in which in first stage, the more easily hydrolyzed polysaccharides, such as hemicelluloses, are depolymerized and in second stage the more difficultly depolymerizable material, e.g., cellulose, is depolymerized. The biomass material is preferably subjected to a sensitization step between the first and second hydrolyzing stages by contact with molecular oxygen.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding vegetable material into a reaction vessel nder pressure to subject the vegetable material to a reaction such as cooking or hydrolysis. The vegetable material is shredded and impregnated with a treating liquid. The resulting liquid-solid mixture is fed by a vortex pump to the reaction vessel. Rate of flow to the reaction vessel is controlled by a flow meter and a variable-speed motor driving the vortex pump.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the conversion of waste cellulose to glucose wherein an aqueous slurry of waste cellulose is acid hydrolyzed includes continuously feeding an aqueous slurry of waste cellulose into an inlet port with a twin screw extruder, continuously reacting the cellulose with water in the presence of an acid catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure in a reaction zone disposed in the extruder between the inlet port and an outlet port while continuously conveying same to the outlet port and at least quasi-continuously discharging the reacted cellulose from the extruder while maintaining the elevated temperature and pressure in the reaction zone by forming a dynamic seal zone at the upstream end of the reaction zone and valving the discharge downstream of the outlet port.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the acid hydrolysis of waste cellulose to glucose of the type wherein waste cellulose is continuously fed into an inlet port of a twin screw extruder, water is continuously fed into reaction zone in the extruder downstream of the inlet port, the cellulose is continuously reacted with water in the presence of an acid catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure in the reaction zone while continuously conveying same to an outlet port of the extruder and the reacted cellulose is discharged from the extruder the elevated temperature and pressure in the reaction zone is maintained, has the elevated pressure is maintained by forming a dynamic seal zone at the upstream end of the reaction zone by providing an unthreaded and radially recessed discontinuity in the screws.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the conversion of waste cellulose to glucose wherein an aqueous slurry of waste cellulose is acid hydrolyzed includes continuously feeding an aqueous slurry of waste cellulose into an inlet port with a twin screw extruder, continuously reacting the cellulose with water in the presence of an acid catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure in a reaction zone disposed in the extruder between the inlet port and an outlet port while continuously conveying same to the outlet port and at least quasi-continuously discharging the reacted cellulose from the extruder while maintaining the elevated temperature and pressure in the reaction zone by forming a dynamic seal zone at the upstream end of the reaction zone and valving the discharge downstream of the outlet port.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the acid hydrolysis of waste cellulose to glucose of the type wherein waste cellulose is continuously fed into an inlet port of a twin screw extruder, water is continuously fed into reaction zone in the extruder downstream of the inlet port, the cellulose is continuously reacted with water in the presence of an acid catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure in the reaction zone while continuously conveying same to an outlet port of the extruder and the reacted cellulose is discharged from the extruder the elevated temperature and pressure in the reaction zone is maintained, has the elevated pressure is maintained by forming a dynamic seal zone at the upstream end of the reaction zone by providing an unthreaded and radially recessed discontinuity in the screws.

Abstract: Continuous hydrolysis to produce sugars is effected by cyclically immersing a solid, divided lignocellulosic material in a bath of concentrated hydrochloric acid and draining the material between successive immersions so as to dissolve the produced sugars, until the sugar concentration of the acid in the bath has attained a desired value.The solid material and the liquid acid are delivered to a tubular horizontal rotary reactor arranged to provide a bath of the acid, to produce a rotating movement for cyclical immersion of the solid material in the bath of acid and longitudinally displace the solid material undergoing hydrolysis together with the acid of the bath and to continuously discharge solid residue and acid containing dissolved sugars due to overflow by gravity at an outlet end of the reactor.

Abstract: A fragmented material is dissolved continuously by impregnation and immersion into a solvent bath in which said material is subjected to a moderate mixing movement allowing it to be kept within the interior of said bath to undergo dissolution therein until formation of fine residual particles of insoluble material which are maintained in suspension by this movement, the whole being removed continuously by a controlled overflow of the bath. This process is applied to cellulose contained in various lignocellulosic materials, which is dissolved continuously by immersion of the previously impregnated material into a bath of hydrochloric acid through which hydrogen chloride gas is caused to bubble, to effect complete dissolution of the cellulose and suspension of the fine insoluble residual lignin particles.

Abstract: A reactor system for continuously effecting the hydrolysis of cellulosic materials, as relatively concentrated aqueous mixtures, comprises a tubular reactor, a high solids pump, steam injecting means, a discharge valve controlled by pressure-responsive means, and means for collecting and recovering the reaction products from the hydrolyzate. The high-solids pump apparatus utilizes a valve having a flow distributing passageway of arcuate, uniform circular cross-section. The various portions of the apparatus are constructed with uniform internal dimensions and configurations, so as to avoid any constriction to flow of the material therethrough, thus minimizing the tendency for blockages to occur therewithin. The loading mechanisms are unloaded alternatingly by a reciprocating ram, so as to substantially continuously feed material through the associated valve.

Abstract: Continuous hydrolysis to produce sugars is effected by cyclically immersing a solid, divided lignocellulosic material in a bath of concentrated hydrochloric acid and draining the material between successive immersions so as to dissolve the produced sugars, until the sugar concentration of the acid in the bath has attained a desired value.The solid material and the liquid acid are delivered to a tubular horizontal rotary reactor arranged to provide a bath of the acid, to produce a rotating movement for cyclical immersion of the solid material in the bath of acid and longitudinally displace the solid material undergoing hydrolysis together with the acid of the bath and to continuously discharge solid residue and acid containing dissolved sugars due to overflow by gravity at an outlet end of the reactor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing modified starch products. A slurry of starch is continuously moved at elevated temperature and pressure through a tubular heating zone and the hot fluid mass emerging from the heating zone is forced through a flow restricting zone within which the fluid mass is highly compressed. This highly compressed fluid material emerges from the confining zone into a tubular reaction zone with a sudden release of energy in the form of a fine spray or mist. The compressive forces followed by the sudden energy release act on the starch molecules to temporarily greatly increase the reactivity of the starch within the reaction zone, whereby modified starch products are quickly formed.

Abstract: Xylan-containing raw material which is very absorbent in the dry state, particularly one year old plants, is treated with an acid either by spraying or by an acid vapor to a limited extent. The extent of treatment is sufficient to permit hydrolysis of the xylan to xylose without complete saturation of the raw material. After hydrolysis, the raw material is washed in counterflow with water to extract the xylose solution. Washing may be accomplished in an extraction column or in a multi-step mixing arrangement.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of starch hydrolysates, such as corn syrup. The process comprises continuously moving an aqueous acidic starch slurry feed through a confined preheat zone at a pressure of at least 300 psi to raise the temperature of the slurry to at least 100.degree. C., continuously forcing the hot fluid mass emerging from the preheat zone through an elongated compressing zone, continuously receiving the fluid material emerging from the compressing zone in the form of a fine spray or mist including water vapor in a confined zone of reduced pressure and continuously collecting from said reduced pressure zone a homogeneous starch syrup having a higher solids content than the starch slurry feed. The temperature and pressure of the hot fluid mass entering the elongated compressing zone and the acidity of the feed slurry can be controlled to selectively provide syrup products having a wide range of DE values.

Abstract: A continuous process for effecting the acid hydrolysis of cellulosic waste materials, at high solids and in a most economically desirable manner. The process may be controlled to produce, as primary products, glucose, furfural and/or xylose. By appropriate control of water and temperature, through the use of direct steam injection, high solids feedstocks may quickly be converted, in good yields, to valuable products, thus making the process very attractive from a practical commercial standpoint.

Abstract: Continuous hydrolysis to produce sugars is effected by cyclically immersing a solid, divided lignocellulosic material in a bath of concentrated hydrochloric acid and draining the material between successive immersions so as to dissolve the produced sugars, until the sugar concentration of the acid in the bath has attained a desired value.The solid material and the liquid acid are delivered to a tubular horizontal rotary reactor arranged to provide a bath of the acid, to produce a rotating movement for cyclical immersion of the solid material in the bath of acid and longitudinally displace the solid material undergoing hydrolysis together with the acid of the bath and to continuously discharge solid residue and acid containing dissolved sugars due to overflow by gravity at an outlet end of the reactor.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of starch hydrolysates, such as corn syrup. The process comprises continuously moving an aqueous acidic starch slurry feed containing at least about 35% by weight starch solids through a confined preheat zone at a pressure of at least 300 psi to raise the temperature of the slurry to at least 140.degree. C, continuously forcing the hot fluid mass emerging from the preheat zone through an elongated compressing zone, continuously receiving the fluid material emerging from the compressing zone in the form of a fine spray or mist including water vapor in a confined zone of reduced pressure and continuously collecting from said reduced pressure zone a homogeneous starch syrup having a higher solids content than the starch slurry feed. The temperature and pressure within the elongated compressing zone can be controlled to selectively provide syrup products having a wide range of DE values.

Abstract: Process for the two-stage decomposition of hemi-celluloses of xylan-containing natural products for the purpose of obtaining xylose and xylitol where the starting material is treated in the first stage with a basic medium and the obtained solid residue is subjected in a subsequent stage to an acid treatment wherein the alkaline and acid stages are carried out in a single reaction vessel.

Abstract: Dextrose and dextrins are obtained from protein-containing starch products by subjecting the starch product to an incomplete or complete acid or enzymatic hydrolysis or a combination of both types of hydrolysis and then circulating the hydrolysate containing a low viscosity sugar solution and water-soluble high molecular proteins through an ultrafilter to separate the proteins from the sugar solution whereupon the dextrose or, in case of incomplete hydrolysis, the dextrins are recovered from the filtrate obtained in the ultrafilter.

Abstract: A continuous method for the decomposition of a raw-material that contains polysaccharides by means of acid hydrolysis. The raw-material is hydrolyzed continuously in one reactor as two steps. In the first step, the hydrolysis is run in the upper part of the reactor in a vapor phase, whereby pentosans are decomposed mainly into furfural, acetic acid, methanol, and acetone, and hexosans are decomposed into disaccharides and trisaccharides. In the second step, the hydrolysis is run in the bottom part of the reactor in a liquid phase, whereby the disaccharides and trisaccharides obtained in the first step are decomposed into monosaccharides and into saccharic and fatty acids.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the continuous acid hydrolysis of pentosan-containing material at a temperature between 80.degree. and 120.degree. C and at a pH lower than 5. At least two portions of hydrolysate are re-cycled back into the hydrolysis vessel. One recycle portion having a lower acid concentration is supplemented with additional acid before being returned to the hydrolysis vessel.

Abstract: The apparatus operates on a continuous basis under gravity flow to extract sugars from hemi-cellulose-containing raw material such as xylose from xylan-containing raw materials. The apparatus includes a sequence of interconnected vessels to steam heat the raw material, to acid-impregnate the steam-heated material, to hydrolyze the acid-impregnated material with steam and to extract sugar and other particles from the hydrolyzed material with a counter-flow of hot water. A conveyor is used in the acid impregnating vessel to move the material to the reaction vessel. The hydrolyzed material is stored in a tank while the residue of raw material is removed in a non-destroyed state.