Abstract:
Separation of a product of digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be challenging due to the various components contained therein. Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass, particularly a reaction product of a hydrothermal reaction containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, comprise providing the reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid extraction unit. The liquid-liquid extraction unit can provide an aqueous portion and a non-aqueous portion, where these portions can be separated into various fractions individually. For example, desirable compounds in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and optionally combined to be further processed into a fuels product. Heavier components in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and used in the process, such as phenolics that can be used as a digestion solvent.
Abstract:
In the pretreatment, the biomass is contacted with a solution containing at least one α-hydroxysulfonic acid thereby at least partially hydrolyzing the biomass to produce a pretreated stream containing a solution that contains at least a portion of hemicelluloses and a residual biomass that contains celluloses and lignin; separating at least a portion of the solution from the residual biomass providing an solution stream and a pretreated biomass stream; then contacting the pretreated biomass stream with a cooking liquor containing at least one alkali selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, ammonium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof and water. A process that allows for higher recovery of carbohydrates and thereby increased yields is provided. Alcohols useful as fuel compositions are also produced from biomass by pretreating the biomass prior to hydrolysis and fermentation.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural which includes: (a) subjecting a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one acid and an aromatic solvent, with a boiling point higher than that of furfural, to a first separation step providing: (i) an organic phase, and (ii) an aqueous phase; (b) subjecting the aqueous phase of step (a) to a first distillation step to provide: (i) a first in top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope; (c) subjecting the first top stream of step (b) to a second separation step to provide: (i) a second top stream comprising a portion of the furfural-water azeotrope; (d) subjecting the second top stream of step (c) to a second distillation step to provide: (i) a third top stream enriched with the furfural-water azeotropic mixture; (e) subjecting the organic phase of step (a) to a third distillation step to provide: a fourth top stream comprising furfural.
Abstract:
Furfural is produced from biomass material containing pentosan, in high yields, in a production process comprising treating the biomass with a solution containing at least one α-hydroxysulfonic acid thereby hydrolyzing the biomass to produce a product stream containing at least one C5-carbohydrate compound in monomeric and/or oligomeric form, and dehydrating the C5-carbohydrate compound in the presence of a heterogeneous solid acid catalyst, in a biphasic reaction medium comprising an aqueous phase and a water-immiscible organic phase, at a temperature in the range of from about 100° C. to about 250° C. to produce a dehydration product stream containing furfural. An aqueous stream is separated from the dehydration product, which can be optionally recycled to the hydrolysis step.
Abstract:
Methods and processes for the production of valuable organic products and alcohols from biomass material using a closed-loop process having numerous advantages over prior production methods are described. In the process, the biomass is subjected to acid-catalyzed digestion, followed by a separation of the digestion product stream into a solid product stream and a liquid product stream, the liquid product stream thereafter undergoing acid-catalyzed dehydration in the presence of an organic solvent, and thereafter separating the organic products in the organic layer from the aqueous layer. During the process, aqueous and organic fluid streams are fed back into various portions of the production process to increase the concentration of active portions and maximize product recovery.
Abstract:
A selective removal of metal and its anion species that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided.
Abstract:
A selective removal of metal and its anion species that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided.
Abstract:
A selective removal of metal and its anion species that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided.
Abstract:
A selective removal of chlorine and phosphorus that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided.
Abstract:
Processing of a reaction product mixture containing at least one volatile organic compound as well as lignin, lignin derived compounds, and/or unextracted cellulose and hemicellulose using a recovery system comprising at least two flashers or at least one flasher and at least two reboilers. In a particular embodiment, the reaction product mixture comes from reactions involving deconstruction (or digestion) of biomass, particularly cellulosic biomass which contains various polysaccharides (e.g., carbohydrates) and lignin.