Importance

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Abstract

A system for processing lignocellulosic materials includes: a pressurization vessel configured to perform hydrothermal treatment of the lignocellulosic materials using saturated or superheated steam; a pressure sealing screw configured to continuously discharge hydrothermally treated lignocellulosic material from the pressurization vessel to a discharge chamber; a control valve configured to add steam to the discharge chamber for pressure control; and a discharge nozzle configured to discharge the lignocellulosic material and steam from the discharge chamber with expansion of steam. The control valve is configured to add the steam to the discharge chamber so as to control a pressure in the discharge chamber to different levels at varying flow rates of the lignocellulosic material and to thereby control a ratio of an amount of steam that escapes through the discharge nozzle to an amount of the lignocellulosic material discharged through the discharge nozzle.

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First Claim