US 12,253,176 B2
Pressure valve processing
Sharon Samjitsingh, Rochester, NY (US)
Assigned to APALTA PATENTS OÜ, Tallinn (EE)
Filed by Apalta Patents OÜ, Möisa tn (EE)
Filed on Mar. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/192,054.
Application 18/192,054 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2021/053229, filed on Oct. 1, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/153,740, filed on Feb. 25, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/146,608, filed on Feb. 6, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/087,077, filed on Oct. 2, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0323975 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. F16K 1/38 (2006.01); A23P 30/20 (2016.01); B01J 4/00 (2006.01); B01J 19/20 (2006.01); F16K 1/42 (2006.01); F16K 17/06 (2006.01); F16K 27/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 1/38 (2013.01) [A23P 30/20 (2016.08); B01J 4/002 (2013.01); B01J 19/20 (2013.01); F16K 1/42 (2013.01); F16K 17/06 (2013.01); F16K 27/0254 (2013.01); B01J 2204/002 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for pretreating a biomass comprising:
(a) an extruder comprising one or more screws, wherein an internal plug of the biomass is formed due to action of the one or more screws, thereby forming an upstream end of a pressurized reaction zone for pretreatment of the biomass; and
(b) a valve assembly attached at an output end of the extruder, wherein the valve assembly forms a downstream end of the reaction zone and adds a liquid to the reaction zone,
wherein the valve assembly comprises:
a valve body having a chamber that connects an input end and a discharge end of the valve body, and comprising a large circular section at the discharge end, an intercalary conical section, and a small circular collar at the input end containing one or more nozzles for adding the liquid, wherein the small circular collar is smaller in inner diameter than the large circular section;
a valve needle axially displaceable within the chamber of the valve body; and
a housing attached to the discharge end of the valve body and enclosing the valve needle when the valve needle is disengaged with the valve body.