JP2016500006A - Tangential shear homogenization and flash combined device with rotor / stator gap dimensions including uniform and non-uniform regions - Google Patents

Abstract

A tangential shear homogenization and flash compounding device that destroys the structure of the pretreated biomass comprises a housing connectable to a source of pressurized pretreated biomass, and a stator and rotor mounted within the housing. Prepare. A stator and a rotor arranged facing each other and spaced apart by an axial gap. A gap as a radially inner region having a radially outer region having a uniform dimension and at least one portion exhibiting a non-uniform dimension. The radially outer region defines a valve. In use, rotational movement of the rotor relative to the stator adds tangential shear to a volume of pretreated biomass. Tangential shear homogenizes the volume of pretreated biomass, while a pressure differential results in partial phase separation of the homogenized biomass into the gas phase and liquid phase, thereby pretreating the pretreated biomass. , The total volume increases at least 3 times and the weight transitions until the gas is at least 1 percent (%).

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for homogenizing cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass by simultaneously applying tangential shear to the biomass undergoing a flash operation, and more particularly, the rotor / stator gap has a uniform gap dimension and non-uniformity. It relates to a tangential shear homogenizing and flash compounding device having a part of uniform gap size.

This application claims priority to each of the following US provisional patent applications, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
(I) No. 4, US Patent Application No. 61 / No. 61 / No. 58, entitled “Combined Tangential Shear Homogenizing and Flashing Aperforming Having A Uniform Rotor / Stator Gap Dimension”, filed on November 9, 2012.
(II) No. 4, US Patent No. 7, entitled “Combined Tangential Shear Homogenizing and Flashing Apparatus A Non-Uniform Rotor / Stator Gap Dimension”, No. 72 / US Pat. No. 7, filed on Nov. 9, 2012, No. 7, US Pat.
(III) "Combined Tangential Shear Homogenizing and Flashing Apparatus Having Rotor / Stator Gap Dimension With Uniform No. 72, filed on November 9, 2012, No. 5 and United States." book,
(IV) “Combined Tangential Shear Homogenizing and Flashing Apparel Having A Parameter Responsible Variable Rotor / Stator Gap, No. 4, No. 4, No. 4, filed on November 9, 2012”
(V) US Patent Application No. 61 / 724,98, filed November 9, 2012, entitled “Method For Flash Treating Biomass Whilst Stimulatively Underground Tangential Shear Homogenization”.
(VI) U.S. Patent Application No. 61/72, filed November 9, 2012 entitled "Combined Tangential Shear Homogenizing and Flashing Apparatus Having A Housing With A Single Effect Outlet";
(VII) U.S. Patent Application No. 61/72, filed November 9, 2012 entitled "Combined Tangential Shear Homogenizing and Flashing Apparatus Having A Housing With This Dual Efficient Outlets".
(VIII) No. 6, U.S. Patent No. 6, No. 6, No. 4, No. 6, No. 4, No. 6, No. 6, No. 6, entitled “System For Destructuring Biomass Including A Combined Tangential Shear Homogenizing and Flashing Apparatus”.

Cross-reference to related applications The subject matter disclosed herein is disclosed in the following co-pending applications, all of which are filed concurrently with this application and all assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
US patent application Ser. No. 13/7, filed Mar. 8, 2013, entitled “Combined Tangential Shear Homogenizing and Flashing Aperforming Having A Uniform Rotor / Stator Gap Dimension”
Filed on March 8, 2013, "Combined Tangential Shear Homogenizing and Flashing Apparel and Riders in the United States of America and the United States." / 790,223 specification,
“Combined Tangential Shear Homogenizing and Flashing Apparel Having Rotor / Stator Gap Dimension With Uniform 7”, filed March 8, 2013.
Filed on March 8, 2013, entitled “System Inclusion A Combined Tangential Shearing Homogenizing and Flashing Apparel and BioFrequency in the United States.” 790,208 specification.

  As the world's crude oil supply declines, there is a growing interest in converting biomass into fuels and chemicals. Biomass is generated through photosynthesis (using energy from the sun), where carbon dioxide is reduced and combined with water to form a wide range of organic polymer structures. Biomass can be an aquatic plant or a terrestrial plant. Specific biomass sources include macroalgae (kelp), microalgae, energy crops (eg, grass, trees), crop residues (corn stover (corn stalks, leaves), forest byproducts), biomass processing byproducts (eg, Along with bagasse, sawdust), used products from aquatic or terrestrial plants (eg office paper, retail waste and municipal solid waste).

  In order to be useful for further biological or chemical transformations, the structure of the macromolecular properties of the biomass must be destroyed. The first step of structural destruction is generally called pretreatment. There is a universal need to efficiently destroy the structure of biomass with minimum time, minimum investment and minimum energy.

  Extensive research has focused on improving pretreatment. Various chemical pretreatment methods, including treatment with acids or bases, that introduce solvents, water, enzymes, recycled structural disruption reaction products, and chemical or biological agents or catalysts to facilitate depolymerization It has been known.

  Such chemical pretreatment methods can be used in combination with mechanical pretreatment techniques that impart physical deformation to the biomass. These mechanical pretreatment techniques involve the use of equipment that performs operations such as mixing, grinding and / or grinding on high temperature and high pressure biomass. These actions promote biomass size reduction and / or structural destruction. Under these pretreatment conditions, the state of the biomass can be changed to the extent that a portion of the biomass is dissolved, liquefied and / or melted. The pretreated biomass state extends from solids to compressible solids, to molten materials and liquids or mixtures thereof.

  Improved structural destruction can be achieved by allowing the biomass to transition at a high speed to lower pressures, resulting in a flash and cooling of the biomass due to the latent heat of vaporization of the flashed components. Understood. This change in state can be referred to as a flash or steam explosion. This process can be supplemented with additional steam in a jet cooker. Increasing shear in the high-speed two-phase flow introduces a gradient that destroys some of the biomass structure. In general, the shear field is the flow direction, but turbulence may exist. The amount of shear is determined by a combination of the flow characteristics of the pretreated material and the changes in conditions (i.e. temperature and pressure) for the device. Thus, shear is difficult to control regardless of biomass fluid properties.

  Attempts have been made to adjust the flash operation by changing the cross-section of the flash apparatus. Unfortunately, flash operations can be compromised by quality and particle size variations in the flow characteristics of the pretreated biomass, which results in irregular performance or pluggage of the flash unit. . The quality of pretreated biomass depends on variations in biomass feedstock (inherent genetic properties of biomass, agronomic conditions, harvesting and storage conditions) and how the changing structure and composition of biomass depends on pretreatment effects. It depends on whether it is converted.

  When this pretreated biomass material is transferred from one vessel to another for processing or subjected to a flash operation, variations in viscosity, solid content and particle size are typical types. It can interfere with the proper operation of valves, nozzles and metering devices and can lead to irregular performance, instability or clogging.

  For example, US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0277082 discloses a system with a flush across a valve. If the pretreated material flowing through the valve has variable flow characteristics, the valve can become clogged. Similarly, in US 2010/0317053, the plunger associated with the valve may not seal properly due to quality variations in the pretreated biomass and / or the presence of solids. .

  In view of the above, the flushing operation can be maintained in a stable manner, with minimal clogging and the ability to apply shear to the flashing biomass regardless of the flow characteristics of the pretreated biomass. However, it is believed that there remains a need for devices, methods and systems through which pretreated biomass can pass through.

  The present invention releases preheated biomass above ambient pressure into a evacuated zone defined in the housing of a tangential shear homogenizing and flashing complex including a stator and a relatively movable rotor. The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for destroying a structure (flash operation). While the material is being flushed, a tangential shear force is applied to the material by the action of the relatively moving rotor and stator. By introducing independent tangential shear to the rotator during the flash operation, a volume of pretreated biomass is homogenized. The device provides inherently more stable performance because the rotation can shear the particles to a more acceptable size while systematically flushing possible particle deposits away from the flash zone of the device. .

  In another aspect, the present invention relates to a tangential shear homogenization and flash combination device having various rotor and stator configurations, such that various axial dimensions are defined between the rotor and the stator.

  In yet another aspect, the gap defined between the rotor and the stator and / or the rotational speed of the rotor is in accordance with measured parameters of the pretreated biomass, such as pressure, temperature, particle size and / or material composition. Be changed.

  In yet another aspect, the tangential shear homogenization and flash combined device housing is provided with one or more outlet ports in direct communication with downstream process utilities.

  The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application.

A tangential shear homogenizing and flash combined device, all in accordance with various aspects of the present invention, wherein a uniform axial dimension gap is defined between a rotor element and a stator element of the device; 2 is a highly schematic schematic representation of a system that implements a method for destroying the structure of biomass. Highly schematic of an alternative implementation of an embodiment of a tangential shear homogenization and flash combination device wherein a uniform axial dimension gap is defined between the rotor element and stator element of the device. Is a simplified representation. Highly schematic of an alternative embodiment of an embodiment of a tangential shear homogenizing and flashing device, wherein an axial dimension non-uniform gap is defined between the rotor element and the stator element of the device. Is a generalized representation. Highly schematic of an alternative embodiment of an embodiment of a tangential shear homogenizing and flashing device, wherein an axial dimension non-uniform gap is defined between the rotor element and the stator element of the device. Is a generalized representation. A tangential shear homogenization and flash combined device, wherein the gap defined between the rotor element and the stator element of the device has a region exhibiting uniform axial dimensions and a region exhibiting non-uniform axial dimensions Fig. 6 is a highly schematic schematic representation of yet another alternative embodiment of the apparatus. FIG. 6 is a highly schematic schematic representation of a variation that is useful with any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5 in which a shunt is located in the inlet region of the mixing zone. Another variation that is useful with any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5, in which the rotor and stator are provided with a cylindrical portion that is aligned to define an annular grinding region in the inlet region of the mixing zone. Highly schematic representation.

  Throughout the following detailed description, like reference characters refer to like elements in all figures of the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a highly schematic diagram of a system, indicated generally by the reference character 10, that implements a method for destroying the structure of biomass, according to various aspects of the present invention.

  The system 10 provides one or more of the raw cellulosic feedstock with processing aids such as water, solvents, compatibilizing agents, acids, bases and / or catalysts in preparation for structural destruction and other further operations. A pre-processing device 12 operable to pre-process the stream 14. Within the pretreatment device 12, any suitable pretreatment operation can be performed on the biomass, such as, for example, stirring, washing, pressurizing, and / or heating the biomass to a predetermined high temperature. Pretreated material from source 12 is sent through supply line 16 to a tangential shear homogenization and flash combination device 20 according to the present invention as well.

Tangential shear homogenization and flash composite device 20 itself includes a housing 20H having an inlet port and the flow path 20I and at least a first effluent discharge ports 20E _1. However, the provision of the second discharge port 20E ₂ separate relative to the housing 20H is within the contemplation of the present invention. In the housing 20H, the stator 20F and the rotor 20R are arranged in a direction facing each other. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the rotor and stator are parallel to each other and oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis 20A.

  Stator 20F is mounted in a fixed arrangement at any convenient location within the housing. The rotor 20R is attached to the shaft 20S so as to rotate relative to the stator. The driving force for the rotor 20R is provided by a drive motor 20M connected to the shaft 20S. The shaft 20S is aligned with the axis 20A of the device 20.

The stator 20S and the rotor 20R cooperate to define a mixing zone 20Z between them. The inlet channel 20I can be connected to the supply line 16 and serves to send pressurized biomass material from the pretreatment device 12 into the inlet region 20N of the mixing zone 20Z located near the axis 20A. Outlet 20T mixing zone 20Z is disposed radially outer edge of the rotor 20R, and the interior of the housing 20H, therefore, when the first effluent discharge ports 20E ₁ and there communicates with the second discharge port 20E ₂ ing.

  In a typical arrangement as shown in FIG. 1, the rotor and stator are each substantially disk-shaped members. However, it should be understood that the rotor and stator can have any convenient three-dimensional configuration, peripheral shape and size. The surface of the rotor and stator can be patterned with grooves or ridges to smooth or facilitate particle size reduction. The various structural elements of the device 20 can be manufactured from any suitable material structure. The rotor, stator and housing can be made preferably from stainless steel. Now consider the various alternative structural forms of the rotor 20R and stator 20S and the resulting changes to the configuration of the mixing zone 20Z.

As will be described, the apparatus 20 assists in the structural disruption process by homogenizing the pretreated biomass while at the same time providing partial phase separation of the homogenized biomass into the gas phase and liquid phase. The separate liquid and gas phases so generated can be sent directly or individually to a processing utility 28 located downstream of the apparatus 20. If only a single effluent discharge port 20E ₁ is provided, both the liquid and gas phases resulting from biomass homogenization and flushing are transported through the first conduit 22 to the utility 28. If the second discharge port 20E ₂ is provided in the housing 20H, the gas phase, via the conduit 24 is conveyed to the utility 28, the liquid phase is sent separately to the utility 28 through the first conduit 22. Representative of the various processing equipment that can be used for the utility 28 is a stirred vessel for further structural destruction.

However, it should be understood that the biomass flushed gas exiting the housing from the second outlet port 20E ₂ may require different treatment. Thus, the conduit 24 can be connected to an alternative processing utility 28A where the gas phase can be isolated for recycling and reuse or purified for various applications.

In the system according to the invention, the conduit 22 and 24, provides a direct continuous fluid communication between the respective outlet port 20E _1, 20E ₂ and the specific utilities 28,28A to which they are connected. As used in this application, the terms “directly”, “directly” (or similar terms) are used to indicate that the effluent (s) from the mixing zone 20Z have no hindrance to fluid communication and are Means that they are sent to their respective destinations without having to go through separate intermediate devices (such as flash or metering devices).

  The dimension of the mixing zone 20Z can be measured in a direction parallel to the axis 20A, and the dimension is determined by the size of the axial gap 20G between the rotor 20R and the stator 20F. In FIG. 1, since the rotor and stator are arranged parallel to each other and are positioned substantially perpendicular to the axis 20A, the axial dimension of the gap 20G and hence the mixing zone is the axial extent of the mixing zone 20Z. Uniform across the whole. When the facing surfaces of the rotor and / or stator of any embodiment of the present invention are patterned with grooves and / or raised portions to promote homogenization, the axial dimension of the gap between the rotor and stator is It should be noted that it is defined as the underlying surface when the grooves and ridges are removed.

  The size of the gap 20G can be adjusted by repositioning the rotor relative to the stator. Suitable means for manually adjusting the axial dimension of the gap prior to operation include shims, threaded shaft components and hydraulic positioning devices. However, in the preferred case, the gap size is automatically adjusted during operation by the gap adjustment control system 34 described below.

  The axial dimension of the gap is initially sized to a predetermined value based on the specific pressure, temperature and characteristics of the biomass to be structurally destroyed. This initial sizing of the gap sets a predetermined appropriate initial axial dimension of the mixing zone 20Z. A predetermined volume of biomass having a predetermined pressure and temperature is charged into the mixing zone 20Z from the inlet port 20I.

  During operation, various properties of the pretreated biomass flowing into the inlet 20N of the mixing zone 20Z are monitored by a sensor network, indicated generally by the reference numeral 30. The sensor 30 can include one or more sensing devices operable to monitor parameters such as pressure, temperature, particle size and / or composition (eg, quality) of the pretreated flowing biomass.

  The flow of pretreated biomass in the substantially radially outward direction through the mixing zone 20Z is controlled by the pressure difference between the inlet 20N and the outlet 20T. As the pretreated biomass flows radially outward through the mixing zone 20Z, it undergoes a pressure drop. A pressure gradient vector showing the change in pressure through the mixing zone is indicated by vector P in the drawing.

  Simultaneously with the pretreated biomass flow through the mixing zone 20Z, the motor 20M rotates the rotor 20R relative to the stator 20F. Due to the relative rotational movement between the rotor and the stator, a circumferentially oriented shear field is generated in the mixing zone 20Z. The shear field applies a tangential shear force to the pretreated volume of biomass flowing through the mixing zone 20Z. The direction of the tangential shear force is indicated by a vector S in the drawing. The tangential shear force homogenizes the pretreated biomass, while the pressure difference across the mixing zone results in partial phase separation of the homogenized biomass into the gas phase and liquid phase. Depending on the specific structure of the rotor and stator, phase separation may occur within the radial extent of the mixing zone or within a predetermined proximity distance from the mixing zone outlet 20T. In the case shown in FIG. 1, partial phase separation occurs in the mixing zone.

  According to the present invention, the selection of a predetermined initial size of the gap 20G coupled with the pressure difference and temperature of the biomass results in partial phase separation of the homogenized pretreated biomass into the gas phase and liquid phase. , Thereby the biomass transitions in weight until the total volume is increased at least 3 times and the gas state is at least 1%.

  By introducing an independent tangential shear force S to the rotator during the flash operation, the rotation will homogenize the particles to a more acceptable size and systematically move possible particle deposits away from the flash zone of the device. Inherently more stable performance is provided.

  Due to the inherent inconsistencies in the composition of the biomass and the manner in which the various pretreatment operations affect these inconsistencies, the resulting pretreated biomass in the flow line 16 can be separated into individual particles along with fluid properties. May include significant variation in diameter.

  Thus, as a further aspect of the present invention, the gap adjustment control system 34 allows the apparatus 20 and the system 10 incorporating it to adjust the gap 20G between the rotor and stator to produce a pretreated biomass composition, flow. It can be automatically adapted to compensate for these variations in properties and particle size. By being able to change the gap 20G in this way, the device 20 can also function as a weighing device.

  In addition to the sensor 30, the gap adjustment control system 34 includes a programmable controller device 34C, which is responsive to signals from the sensor network 30, one of various sensed parameters of the preprocessed biomass that flows in. According to one or more, the gap dimension 20G and thus the axial dimension of the mixing zone 20Z is varied. The gap adjustment control system 34 can further include an actuator 36, which is operably connected to the motor 20M to physically make adjustments to the gap size. Actuator 36 is responsive to a control signal from control system 34 supported on line 34A to move the motor and its connected rotor as a single unit toward and away from the stator, thereby flowing in. Based on various measured parameters of the pretreated biomass, the gap size of the mixing zone is varied. Thus, for example, the pressure of the biomass feed through the mixing zone 20Z can be kept constant or varied in any predetermined manner. Additionally or alternatively, for example, the gap size can be varied in a time-controlled manner to drive out the particles in question. It should be understood that a variety of other means can be used to make the gap dimension change, and such other means should be construed as being within the scope of the present invention. is there. For example, the gap dimension can be changed by displacing the stator relative to the rotor within the housing.

  Alternatively or additionally, a signal from the control system 34 supported on the line 34B can be applied as a motor control signal to change the rotational speed of the rotor 20M. By changing the rotational speed of the rotor, the reduction of the particle size is promoted.

  As described above, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the rotor and stator are each substantially disk-like members that are mounted parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the axis 20A, thereby providing The gap 20G is uniform across the entire radial extent of the mixing zone 20Z. FIG. 2 shows an alternative to apparatus 20 that has uniform axial dimensions across the mixing zone, but the rotor and stator are frustoconically shaped to facilitate material flow. An embodiment is shown. Similar to the situation of FIG. 1, in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the flash occurs within the radial extent of the mixing zone.

The position of the flash can be adjusted by appropriate adjustment of the rotor and / or stator geometry. FIGS. 3 and 4 show two forms of an alternative embodiment of the device 20 in which the mixing zone 20Z defined by the gap 20G between the rotor and the stator has non-uniform dimensions. . In these figures, the gap, therefore the maximum axial dimension 20G _L of the mixing zone is located near the inlet 20 N.

In the structure shown in FIG. 3, one (or both) of the rotor and / or stator is a frustoconical shaped member that tapers uniformly toward each other at a position radially outward from the axis 20A. So as to be inclined with respect to the axis 20A. As a result of this structure, minimum axial gap size 20G _S occurs near the outlet 20T radially outer edge of the mixing zone 20Z. Minimum axial gap size 20G _S results in a throttle portion for substantially radially outward flow of the biomass. In this form of the invention, partial phase separation occurs immediately beyond the radially outer edge.

The configuration shown in FIG. 4 shows a structure in which the minimum axial gap dimension 20G _S , and thus the constriction for the biomass flow, occurs at a selected position radially inward from the outlet 20T of the mixing zone 20Z. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the flow restrictor should not exceed 1/3 of the radial distance of the mixing zone inward from the outlet of the mixing zone. In FIG. 4, the throttle portion is defined by a constriction mechanism 20K formed in the stator 20F. Partial phase separation occurs near mechanism 20K in the mixing zone. It should be understood that alternatively or additionally, a similar mechanism may be provided on the rotor 20R.

FIG. 5 shows another alternative embodiment of the device 20. In this embodiment, the rotor and stator are configured to present a hybrid structure having various gap configurations. Radially inner region 20G _I includes a portion 20G _N having portions 20G _U and uneven axial dimension 20G _N respectively have a uniform axial dimension 20G _U. If desired, it is possible to size in the radial direction inner region 20G _I omits uniform portions 20G _U. Alternatively, if desired, it can be radially inward region 20G _I, providing additional uniform regions and uneven regions of any convenient number.

The radially outer region 20G _M has a uniform axial gap dimension and defines a minimum axial dimension 20G _S of the gap. The facing surfaces of the rotor and stator in this region 20G _V cooperate to function as a metering device. The metering effect provided by these surfaces is regulated outlet pressure, the minimum axial dimension 20G _S is when compared with the structure of FIG. 4 is a point contact, thereby improving the pressure stability.

  FIGS. 6 and 7 show two additional structural details that can be used with any of the rotor / stator configurations shown in FIGS.

  In FIG. 6, a flow divider 20L is arranged at a predetermined position near the inlet 20N of the mixing zone between the rotor 20R and the stator 20F. The shunt 20L serves to smooth the incoming flow and avoid dead zones or steep turning that can lead to stagnant material pockets. The shunt 20L can be mounted in any convenient position on either the rotor or the stator.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration in which the apparatus is provided with a crushing device arranged upstream of the inlet 20N of the mixing zone 20Z. The stator 20F is formed with a substantially cylindrical portion 20C having a predetermined axial dimension. Accordingly, a substantially cylindrical barrel 20B attached to the rotor 20R. The barrel 20B has a predetermined axial dimension. The barrel 20B extends in the axial direction from the rotor 20R and is concentrically nested with the cylindrical portion 20C of the stator.

  The cylindrical portions of the barrel and the stator cooperate to define an axially extending grinding zone 38 disposed between the rotor and the stator. The axial dimension of the grinding zone 38 is defined by the degree of axial overlap between the barrel 20B and the cylindrical portion 20C.

  Any of a variety of mixing enhancers 38E can be incorporated into the wall of barrel 20B and / or cylinder 20C. In FIG. 7, the mixing promoting portion 38E is shown in the form of a pin. However, it is understood that other suitable forms of mixing facilitators can be used, such as straight Maddock, tapered Maddock, pineapple or gear. Drawings of such a mixing promoting portion are shown in FIGS. 18 to 48 of Perry's Chemical Engineering Handbook, Seventh Edition.

  Further, if desired, a flow diverter 20L can be attached to the upstream end of the barrel 20B.

  Those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings of the invention may make modifications to the invention. Such modifications are to be construed as being within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (8)

A tangential shear homogenizing and flash compounding device that destroys the structure of the pretreated biomass,
A housing having an inlet and at least one outlet, the shaft extending therethrough, the inlet being connectable to a source of pressurized pretreated biomass, the outlet being directly fluid to a downstream utility A housing that can be connected in communication;
A stator and a rotor arranged facing each other and spaced apart by a gap, thereby defining a mixing zone in communication with the inlet and the outlet, wherein the arrangement of the rotor and the stator is between them Wherein the gap defines a radially outer region of the mixing zone having a uniform dimension and a radially inner region of the mixing zone having at least one portion exhibiting a non-uniform dimension, A stator and a rotor, the directional outer region defining a valve;
Comprising
The rotor is connectable to a motor operable to rotate the rotor relative to the stator, thereby defining a predetermined pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet in use; The rotational movement of the rotor relative to the stator imparts a tangential shear to a predetermined volume of pretreated biomass that is introduced into the mixing zone at a predetermined pressure and temperature, while the biomass passes through the mixing zone. Moving in the direction of the pressure difference,
The tangential shear can homogenize the volume of pretreated biomass, and the pressure differential can result in partial phase separation of the homogenized biomass into a gas phase and a liquid phase; The tangential shear homogenization and flash combined device wherein the pretreated biomass increases the total volume by at least 3 times.   The tangential shear homogenization and flash combined device of claim 1, wherein the pretreated biomass transitions in weight until the gas is at least 1 percent (%). 3. A tangential shear homogenization and flash combined device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a shunt attached between the rotor and the stator for delivering the biomass into the mixing zone.   4. A tangential shear homogenization and flash combined device according to claim 3, wherein the shunt is attached to the rotor.   The tangential shear homogenization and flash combination device of claim 3, wherein the shunt is attached to the stator. The stator is formed with a substantially cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion has a predetermined axial dimension, and the device includes:
A substantially cylindrical barrel attached to the rotor, further comprising a barrel having a predetermined axial dimension and extending axially from the rotor and nested within the cylindrical portion of the rotor. And
A tangential shear homogenization and flush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the barrel and the cylindrical portion of the housing cooperate to define a grinding zone extending axially therebetween. Compound device.   The tangential shear homogenization and flash combination device of claim 6, wherein the barrel of the stator has an array of mixing facilitators thereon. The barrel has an axial upstream end thereon;
The tangential shear homogenization and flash combination device of claim 6, wherein a shunt is attached to the axial upstream end of the barrel.

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