METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING A CELLULOSIC FEEDSTOCK

摘要

A method and apparatus for pre-treating a cellulosic feedstock are disclosed. Embodiments of the method comprise conveying the cellulosic feedstock through an enclosed volume, adding moisture to the cellulosic feedstock simultaneously at multiple spaced-apart moisture injection points as the cellulosic feedstock travels through the volume, and heating the cellulosic feedstock as it travels through the volume to obtain a heated moistened feedstock. Embodiments of the apparatus comprise a shell defining a treatment chamber having a lower inner surface. The treatment chamber has an inlet and an outlet spaced longitudinally apart from the inlet to define an axial length. A conveyance member is housed within the shell and is configured to sweep the lower inner surface. A plurality of injection ports are provided in at least one of the shell and the conveyance member.