SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREEXTRACTION OF HEMICELLULOSE THROUGH USING A CONTINUOUS PREHYDROLYSIS AND STEAM EXPLOSION PRETREATMENT PROCESS

摘要

A method includes pretreating biomass feed stock (14) in a first pressurized reactor (12), wherein the feed stock (14) undergoes hydrolysis in the first pressurized reactor (12); discharging the feed stock (14) from the first pressurized reactor (12) to a pressurized sealing device (24) having a first pressurized coupling to a feedstock discharge port of the first pressurized reactor (12); maintaining a vapor phase in the first pressurized reactor (12) by injecting steam into the first pressurized reactor (12); washing the feed stock (14) in or downstream of the first pressurized reactor (12); draining dissolved hemi-cellulosic material extracted from the feed stock (14); discharging the feed stock (14) from the pressurized sealing device (24) through a second pressurized coupling to a second pressurized reactor (16); in the second pressurized reactor (16), infusing cells of the feed stock (14) with steam or water vapor, and subjecting the feed stock (14) with the infused cells to a rapid pressure release to cause expand and burst the cells of the feed stock (14).