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Abstract

The disclosed technology reduces the force required to consolidate a biomass feedstock into a dense, durable biomass plug having low permeability. The technology increases the fiber density and reduces gas permeability. These changes render the biomass more suitable for seal formation, significantly reducing the force required to form a low-permeability seal. Some variations provides a method of feeding a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock to a biomass-processing unit, comprising: providing a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock; introducing water, in the form of steam and/or liquid water, forming a water-enriched feedstock; feeding the water-enriched feedstock to a plug-forming system to generate a biomass plug of compressed water-enriched feedstock; and conveying the compressed water-enriched feedstock to a biomass-processing unit in flow communication with the plug-forming system. By increasing the moisture content and temperature of the biomass, it is made more pliable and malleable, reducing the compression stress required to achieve a desired fiber density and permeability.

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First Claim