A method of continuous separation of vegetable biomass into a fluid phase and a solids containing phase of pulpy consistence

摘要

Moist vegetable biomass (21) is fed (22, 24) to a mixing zone (26) equipped with stirring means (27) of a conditioning vessel (25). Aqueous juice (30) recycled (40) from a subsequent step (39) is also fed (29) to the mixing zone (26). The mixture is stirred while any denser material is allowed to sink to a settling zone (28) located below the mixing zone (26) to eventually be disposed of (31). The mixture is fed (32) to a rotary comminutor (33) whose operation produces a slurry that is fed (34) to a separator (35) for partitioning into aqueous juice (36) and mush (37). The mush is removed (38). The aqueous juice is divided (39) into major (40) and minor (41) portions whose ratio provides for balance between water entering and leaving the process, considering that the major portion (40) is recycled to the mixing (26) zone and the minor portion (41) removed. Preferably, the ratio is greater than about 4:1. Preferably, the comminutor has an effective shearing gap whose width is larger than 1 mm.