SYSTEM INCLUDING A COMBINED TANGENTIAL SHEAR HOMOGENIZING AND FLASHING APPARATUS HAVING SINGLE OR DUAL EFFLUENT OUTLET(S) AND METHOD FOR FLASH TREATING BIOMASS UTILIZING THE SAME

摘要

A system for destructuring pretreated biomass includes a pretreating device for producing a pressurized mass of material having a predetermined elevated temperature a process utility disposed downstream of the pretreating device; and a combined tangential shear homogenizing and flashing apparatus connected intermediate the pretreating device and the process utility. The combined tangential shear homogenizing and flashing apparatus imparts a tangential shear to a volume of pretreated biomass while a pressure difference causes a partial phase separation of the homogenized biomass into vapor and liquid phases. A conduit for providing uninterrupted fluid communication between the outlet of the housing and the process utility for conducting the vapor and liquid phases directly into the process utility.