Importance

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Abstract

Fermented grain (11), such as brewer's grain or wet cake, which contains both hemicellulose and cellulose, is processed to provide sugars. The grain is first treated (14) with hot water to hydrolyse hemicellulose; and an aqueous phase (26) containing the products of the hydrolysis of hemicellulose is separated from particulate material. The particulate material is then fed (18) into a flow of steam at above 450° C. along a reactor duct (20, 32) to form a flowing mixture of particles and vapours, the mass flow of steam being at least 3 times the mass flow of particulate matter, such that the particulate material is heated rapidly; and after no more than 3 seconds at least 75% (by mass) of the particles are separated (21) from the flowing mixture. The vapours of the flowing mixture are then condensed (22). The result is a sugar solution (25). Steady feeding of the particulate material may be achieved with an eductor (32) that includes a nozzle (36) for entry of the steam, and a sloping deflector plate (40) above it.

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First Claim