Abstract:
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for conversion of cellulosic material, such as chopped straw and corn stover, and household waste, to ethanol and other products. The cellulosic material is subjected to continuous hydrothermal pre-treatment without addition of chemicals, and a liquid and a fibre fraction are produced. The fibre fraction is subjected to enzymatic liquefaction and saccharification. The method of the present invention comprises: - performing the hydrothermal pre-treatment by subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one soaking operation, and conveying the cellulosic material through at least one pressurised reactor, and subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one pressing operation, creating a fibre fraction and a liquid fraction; - selecting the temperature and residence time for the hydrothermal pretreatment, so that the fibrous structure of the feedstock is maintained and at least 80% of the lignin is maintained in the fibre fraction.
Abstract:
Apparatus for evaporation of a liquid contained in a particulate product by means of superheated vapour as the drying medium, comprising a drying chamber and a heat exchanger and a device for separation of product particles and low temperature vapour, pressuretight connected to each other and communicating with the surroundings through a loading device for particulate product, an unloading device for particulate product and an outlet device for the generated surplus of low temperature vapour characterized in - that the drying chamber by and large has the shape of a cylinder, and - that the drying chamber has a horizontal position or has a minor deviation from that, and - that a rotor inside the drying chamber is elevating portions of the particulate product from the lower to the upper part of the drying chamber from where the portions fall down to the lower part of the drying chamber, through the current of superheated vapour.
Abstract:
Ruminants with a fully developed rumen function are fed by a method in which the total feed is divided into two parts comprising a) a liquid feed containing high-energy components, which feed is supplied while stimulating the ruminant to close its oesophageal groove, and b) a solid feed containing low-energy components, which feed is supplied in such a way that the ruminant does not close its oesophageal groove, both types of feed being independently available through separate dispensing systems. One or more of the components of the liquid feed may be partially or completely hydrolyzed. A liquid feed dispensing device (an embodiment of which is shown in Fig. 1) comprises a container, metering means and outlet means for liquid feed; the outlet means (such as a teat) are located in an enclosure for ruminants at a level substantially above the level of the shoulders of the ruminants housed in the enclosure.
Abstract:
A method for separation of heterogeneous products included in household waste (HW) comprises separating the products in a fractionation vessel containing a liquid. The waste includes components, of which at least some are capable of floating in the liquid. The components are exposed to a first essentially horizontal force (P1) in a first direction (D1) enforced by a flow of the liquid in the fractionation vessel and to a second essentially horizontal force (P2) in a second direction (D2), which is substantially different from the first direction (D1). The combined impact of the forces (P1; P2) on the components spreads the components and leads them to at least two collection areas. Products of varying buoyancy may thus be treated separately.