Piping system from reactor to separator and method to control process flow

A method for steam explosion treatment comprising:

• pressurizing and infusing biomass material with steam in a pressurized reactor vessel to create a pressurized and infused biomass material;
• passing the pressurized and infused biomass material and the steam from the pressurized reactor vessel through at least one of a plurality of reactor vessel outlets into at least one of a plurality of discharge lines;
• passing the pressurized and infused biomass material from the at least one of the discharge lines through an expansion manifold and into a collection line;
• rapidly reducing pressure on the pressurized and infused biomass material as the pressurized and infused biomass material enters the collection line from the collection-expansion manifold to create steam exploded biomass material;
• transporting the steam exploded biomass material through the collection line to a separation device, in which the steam exploded biomass material is separated from gases flowing with the steam exploded biomass material in the collection line.

An apparatus for steam explosion treatment of biomass material comprising:

• At least one discharge line extending from the pressurized reactor vessel at reactor vessel outlets, wherein the at least one discharge line has a cross-sectional area and wherein the at least one discharge line is configured to receive the biomass material and the steam discharged from the pressurized reactor vessel;
• a collection-expansion manifold connected to an outlet end of the at least one discharge line;
• a collection line having an inlet connected to the collection-expansion manifold, wherein the collection line is configured to receive the biomass material and the steam flowing from the at least one discharge line, and wherein the collection line has a cross-sectional area that is substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of the at least one discharge line;
• and
• a separation device coupled to an outlet end of the collection line, wherein the separation device is configured to receive the biomass material and the steam from the collection line.