PROCESS FOR PRE-HYDROLYSIS OF BIOMASS

This invention refers to a process carried out in an apparatus for the processing of pre-hydrolysis of biomass, particularly a reactor of the failsafe type, either mobile or not, which may be manufactured of microbonded carbon steel and coated with special materials (refractory metals, superalloys, stainless materials, plastics, etc.). The insertion of vacuum between the shell of the reactor and its coating prevents its implosion and permits the detection of leakage with helium gas. The resistance to corrosion of the refractory metals enables carrying out of pre-hydrolysis and mineral digestion. In the process of this invention, biomass is compacted at 300 kg/m3 by a helical feeder, degased, flooded, heated, stirred, pre-hydrolyzed, the sugar being recovered at a first washing within the reactor with values higher than 90 %. The low liquid/solid ratio = 2 enables one to achieve sugar content of 10 bricks in the prehydrolysate and a consumption of 6 % of the energy contained in the processed biomass. The pre-hydrolysate is constituted by solutions of xylose and others and is intended for the production of furfural, alcohol and xylitol. The control of the process enables one to produce cellulignin with a high specific surface, 2 m2/g (measured by BET), compared with the value of 0.4 m2/g of nonhydrolyzed biomass, maintain crystallinity of the cellulose fibers, aiming at grinding it into fine particles (f