INJECTOR SYSTEM FOR EXTRUDER EQUIPMENT
An extruder and valve system comprises a conduit for conveying a biomass stream using a plurality of injector assemblies to provide water or other fluids and/or steam for pretreatment. Each injector in the assembly is connected to a corresponding port in the extruder. The ports can be positioned at discrete locations of the extruder or beyond to deliver the appropriate amount of fluid or steam for the processing of biomass or other materials.
1 - 71 . (canceled)
72 . A system for introducing one or more additives into materials, the system comprising:
a) an assembly of injectors, wherein the injectors comprise internal bores of a diameter ranging from 2 to 6 mm;
b) a manifold for controlling flows of substances in said assembly of injectors;
c) valves incorporated into the manifold for each injector to independently control the flows of substances in the injector; and
d) a supply of an additive.
73 . The system of claim 72 , wherein the additive is a liquid or a steam.
74 . The system of claim 72 , wherein the additive is water.
75 . The system of claim 72 , wherein the additive is an acid.
76 . The system of claim 72 , wherein the additive is a steam and wherein the steam is at a pressure of about 80 to about 600 psi.
77 . The system of claim 72 , wherein the additive is a steam and wherein the steam is at a pressure of about 150 to about 300 psi.
78 . The system of claim 72 , wherein the system further comprises a conduit for containing the materials.
79 . The system of claim 78 , wherein the materials comprise a biomass.
80 . The system of claim 78 , wherein the conduit comprises an extruder.
81 . The system of claim 80 , wherein the conduit further comprises a discharge valve.
82 . The system of claim 72 , wherein the internal bores of the injectors have a diameter of about 2 mm to about 4 mm.
83 . The system of claim 72 , wherein the internal bores of the injectors have a diameter of about 2 mm.
84 . The system of claim 72 , wherein the assembly of injectors comprises 2 or more injectors.
85 . The system of claim 72 , wherein the assembly of injectors comprises 16 or more injectors.
86 . An extruder comprising:
(1) a barrel, wherein the barrel comprises an inner chamber comprising a feeder zone and a reaction zone, wherein the extruder is constructed and arranged such that a steam impervious plug is formed by compacting the biomass in a high pressure zone separating the feeder zone and the reaction zone;
(2) a discharge valve body at a discharge end of the barrel, wherein the barrel further comprises a plurality of injection ports that penetrate an outer wall of the barrel, or the valve body comprises a plurality of injection ports that penetrate an outer wall of the valve body, or both; and
(3) the system of claim 72 , wherein the injectors are placed into the plurality of injection ports.
87 . The extruder of claim 86 , wherein the barrel comprises the plurality of injectors organized in spiral or circular patterns about the barrel.
88 . The extruder of claim 87 , wherein the plurality of injectors are perpendicular to the barrel.
89 . The extruder of claim 87 , wherein one or more of the injectors are predisposed to inject 3-50% steam per dry weight of materials in the barrel,
90 . A method of injecting a liquid or steam into an extruder barrel or a valve body comprising:
(A) providing a plurality of injection ports, wherein the injection ports penetrate an outer wall of the extruder barrel or an outer wall of the valve body or both;
(B) introducing injectors into the plurality of injection ports;
(C) injecting steam into said extruder barrel or said valve body to maintain a pressure between 150 to 800 psi in said extruder barrel or said valve body; and
(D) injecting a liquid into said extruder barrel or valve body.
91 . An extruder system comprising a barrel section having spiral or concentric ports for an assembly of injector nozzles.