Cellulose liquefaction module

Abstract

A method of producing cellulose liquefaction and a cellulose liquefaction module that mixes and circulates cellulose material as a solid, and provides evaporative cooling in the module. The module includes a container having a vertically disposed tube that houses an auger conveyor that mixes and circulates solid cellulose material. Steam ports and activation agent injection ports are disposed within the tube to liquify the cellulose material. A forced air blower pushes air through the liquified cellulose material to provide evaporative cooling before discharge from the container.

I claim: 
     
       1. A cellulose liquefaction module, comprising:
 a container having a top, and a cone-shaped bottom; 
 a vertically disposed tube with an interior, a bottom intake and a top outlet; 
 an auger disposed in the vertical tube interior; 
 the tube being disposed within the container; 
 horizontal stabilizer supports disposed to interconnect the container and the tube; 
 a series of steam ports disposed within the tube interior on a first side of the tube and on the horizontal supports; 
 activation agent injection ports disposed within the tube interior on a second side of the tube and on the horizontal supports; 
 a spreader plate disposed in the communication with the top outlet of the tube; 
 a paddle agitator disposed adjacent the bottom intake of the tube; 
 a downwardly directed forced air blower disposed at the top of the container and having an air intake purification chamber; 
 a liquid circulation loop interconnecting the container bottom and the container top; 
 a first microwave chamber disposed in communication with the tube interior; 
 a second microwave chamber disposed in communication with the liquid circulation loop; and 
 a heat exchanger located in the liquid circulation loop. 
 
     
     
       2. A method of liquifying cellulose material comprising the steps of:
 mixing and circulating solid cellulose material in the module of  claim 1 , 
 applying heat and adding activation agents to reduce the cellulose material to a liquid in the module; and 
 providing evaporative cooling of the liquefied cellulose material in the module. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the solid cellulose material is mixed and circulated by the conveyor as it moves the cellulose material from the intake at the tube to the outlet of the tube. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the solid cellulose material is mixed and circulated by being spread at the top of the module by the spreader plate, and by moving by gravity to the bottom of the container. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein evaporative cooling of the cellulose material occurs when air is blown downwardly through the cellulose material spread by the spreader plate at the top of the module. 
     
     
       6. The method of the  claim 5 , wherein the evaporative cooling is supplemented by passage of the cellulose material through the heat exchanger. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 3 , wherein heat is applied by steam from the steam ports, and activation agents are added from the activation agent injection ports. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cellulose material and added activation agents are exposed to microwave energy in the microwave chamber to improve the effect of the activation agents.