Abstract

An apparatus for heat-integrated distillation comprising an evaporation chamber (1) with an inlet for feed, an outlet 6 for vapor and an outlet (9) for remnants and a condensation chamber (2) divided into a number consecutive sections (2.1; 2.2; 2.3). The apparatus further, comprises a wall (3) separating the evaporation chamber (1) from the condensation chamber (2), and a compressor (10, 13, 16) for each section of the condensation chamber, at first compressor (10) being arranged in a line connecting the evaporation chamber (1) and the first section (2.1) if the condensation chamber (1) and the additional compressors (13, 16) being arranged in respective lines connecting consecutive sections.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 3/38 - Steam distillation
• B01D 3/00 - Distillation or related exchange processes in which liquids are contacted with gaseous media, e.g. stripping
• B01D 5/00 - Condensation of vapoursRecovering volatile solvents by condensation
• B01D 1/28 - Evaporating with vapour compression
• B01D 1/22 - Evaporating by bringing a thin layer of the liquid into contact with a heated surface

Abstract

An apparatus for heat-integrated distillation comprising an evaporation chamber (1) with an inlet for feed, an outlet 6 for vapor and an outlet (9) for remanence and a condensation chamber (2) divided into a number consecutive sections (2.1; 2.2; 2.3). The apparatus further, comprises a wall (3) separating the evaporation chamber (1) from the condensation chamber (2), and a compressor (10, 13, 16) for each section of the condensation chamber, at first compressor (10) being arranged in a line connecting the evaporation chamber (1) and the first section (2.1) if the condensation chamber (1) and the additional compressors (13, 16) being arranged in respective lines connecting consecutive sections.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 1/28 - Evaporating with vapour compression
• B01D 3/00 - Distillation or related exchange processes in which liquids are contacted with gaseous media, e.g. stripping
• B01D 5/00 - Condensation of vapoursRecovering volatile solvents by condensation

Abstract

The invention concerns method and apparatus for hydrothermal treatment and/or extraction of plant material, especially lignocellulosic material, such as straw, bagasse and corn stover, which can simulate large scale continuous equipment with small scale equipment. This can be achieved in equipment where the solid material is kept stationary throughout the whole process. By introducing a piston equipped with a perforated piston 1.6 head, into a reactor 1.1 equipped with in- and outlet devices for liquid 1.11 and steam 1.13, movement of liquid into the cavities of the material can be carried out by soaking or steaming of the material and an movement out of the cavities can be carried out by pressing with the perforated piston head 1.6. By transferring the press juice to different holding tanks and reintroducing the liquid to a new portion of material, processed subsequently, counter-current cascade processes can be simulated.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 11/02 - Solvent extraction of solids

Abstract

Continuous transfer of particulate material into pressurized steam reactors is provided by “flow feeder” methods and devices. Material such as lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks are compacted into a “low density” plug, <700 kg/m3, which provides a dynamic seal against pressurized steam through exploitation of a steam condensation zone. The rate at which the steam condensation zone moves into the “low density” plug is offset by the rate at which compacted material is fed into the pressurized reactor. Preferred devices compact material within a flow feeder chamber by use of a loading device that works against counter-pressure provided by an unloading device. Compacted material is actively disintegrated and fed into the reactor by the unloading device. In preferred embodiments, compacted material is fed in a steady-state operation in which the interface between the steam condensation zone and the low pressure inlet zone remains stationary within the flow feeder chamber.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21B 1/22 - Disintegrating in mills in magazine-type machines with screw feed
• B01J 8/08 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with moving particles
• B65G 53/08 - Gas pressure systems operating without fluidisation of the materials with mechanical injection of the materials, e.g. by screw
• C12P 7/10 - Ethanol, i.e. non-beverage produced as by-product or from waste or cellulosic material substrate substrate containing cellulosic material