公开(公告)号：US20150184260A1

公开(公告)日：2015-07-02

申请号：US14583572

申请日：2014-12-26

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

Inventor： Theodora RETSINA ,  Vesa PYLKKANEN ,  Ryan ZEBROSKI

IPC: C13K1/02 ,  C12P19/02 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C13K13/00

CPC classification number: C13K1/02 ,  C12P7/10 ,  C12P19/02 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C12P2201/00 ,  C12P2203/00 ,  C13K13/002 ,  Y02E50/16

Abstract: In some variations, this invention provides a process for producing fermentable sugars from cellulosic biomass, comprising: extracting biomass with steam or hot water to produce an extract liquor containing hemicellulose oligomers, dissolved lignin, and cellulose-rich solids; separating and washing the cellulose-rich solids; removing a portion of glucan contained in the washed cellulose-rich solids as glucose oligomers using a liquefaction-focused blend of enzymes; co-hydrolyzing glucose oligomers and hemicellulose oligomers, with enzymes or chemical catalyst, to produce glucose and hemicellulose monomers; and recovering the glucose and hemicellulose monomers as fermentable sugars. The liquefaction-focused blend of enzymes contains endoglucanases and exoglucanases. Optionally, the glucose and the hemicellulose monomers may be recovered as separate streams. The residual cellulose (not hydrolyzed) as well as the lignin may be recovered and combusted, or utilized for other purposes, such as for energy-dense pellets.

Abstract translation: 在一些变型中，本发明提供了一种从纤维素生物质生产可发酵糖的方法，其包括：用蒸汽或热水提取生物质以产生含有半纤维素低聚物，溶解的木质素和富含纤维素的固体的提取液; 分离和洗涤富含纤维素的固体; 使用液化聚焦的酶将所洗涤的富含纤维素的固体中含有的一部分葡聚糖作为葡萄糖寡聚物除去; 用酶或化学催化剂共同水解葡萄糖寡聚体和半纤维素寡聚物以产生葡萄糖和半纤维素单体; 并将葡萄糖和半纤维素单体作为可发酵糖回收。 液化聚焦的混合物​​含有内切葡聚糖酶和外切葡聚糖酶。 任选地，葡萄糖和半纤维素单体可以作为单独的流回收。 残留的纤维素（未水解）以及木质素可以回收和燃烧，或用于其它目的，例如用于能量密度的颗粒。

公开(公告)号：US20150079639A1

公开(公告)日：2015-03-19

申请号：US14487070

申请日：2014-09-15

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

Inventor： Theodora RETSINA ,  Ryan O'CONNOR

IPC: C13K13/00 ,  C12P7/06 ,  F23G7/10 ,  C13B20/00 ,  C12P19/02 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C13B35/08

CPC classification number: C13K13/00 ,  C12P7/06 ,  C12P19/02 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C12P2201/00 ,  C13B20/002 ,  C13B35/08 ,  C13K1/02 ,  F23G7/10 ,  Y02E50/17

Abstract: Conventionally, sugarcane processing avoids leaving residual sucrose in the bagasse, since the bagasse will be burned and the value of the sucrose would be lost. However, when coupled with a Green Power+® process to extract hemicelluloses, sucrose may also be extracted and recovered from the bagasse. In some variations, a process includes mechanically treating a feedstock to generate a sucrose-rich stream and lignocellulosic material that intentionally retains a significant amount of the initial sucrose in the feedstock; extracting the lignocellulosic material with steam and/or hot water to produce cellulose-rich solids and an extract liquor containing hemicellulosic oligomers and sucrose; and then hydrolyzing the hemicellulosic oligomers into a hemicellulose sugar stream. Each of the sucrose-rich stream and the hemicellulose sugar stream (containing the starting residual sucrose) may be recovered or further processed (e.g., fermented to ethanol). Similar processes are possible with energy cane, sugar beets, and energy beets.

Abstract translation: 通常，甘蔗加工避免了将蔗糖残留在甘蔗渣中，因为甘蔗渣将被燃烧并且蔗糖的值将丢失。 然而，当与Green Power +工艺一起提取半纤维素时，蔗糖也可以从蔗渣中提取和回收。 在一些变型中，方法包括机械处理原料以产生富含蔗糖的料流和有意地在原料中保留大量初始蔗糖的木质纤维素材料; 用蒸汽和/或热水提取木质纤维素材料以产生富含纤维素的固体和含有半纤维素低聚物和蔗糖的提取液; 然后将半纤维素低聚物水解成半纤维素糖流。 可以回收或进一步处理每种富含蔗糖的料流和半纤维素糖料流（含有起始残留的蔗糖）（例如发酵成乙醇）。 类似的过程可能与能量甘蔗，甜菜和能量甜菜。

公开(公告)号：US20140370551A1

公开(公告)日：2014-12-18

申请号：US14305076

申请日：2014-06-16

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

Inventor： Theodora RETSINA ,  Kimberly NELSON

IPC: C13K1/02 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C12P19/02

CPC classification number: C13K1/02 ,  C12P7/10 ,  C12P19/02 ,  C12P19/14

Abstract: This disclosure provides a business method and system for generating sugars and recycling a non-biomass component from a waste stream. In some embodiments, a waste stream comprising cellulose and a non-biomass component is saccharified to produce glucose, followed by recovery of the glucose and non-biomass component, which may be recycled to another site associated with production of a cellulose-containing product that contains the non-biomass component. In certain scenarios, the waste stream is generated at a first location, cellulose pretreatment (if desired) and hydrolysis are conducted at a second location, and the non-biomass component is recycled to the first location or a third location. The non-biomass component may include metals, metal oxides, salts, organic compounds, inorganic compounds, oligomers, or polymers, for example.

Abstract translation: 本公开提供了一种用于产生糖并从废物流再循环非生物量组分的商业方法和系统。 在一些实施方案中，包含纤维素和非生物量组分的废物流被糖化以产生葡萄糖，然后回收葡萄糖和非生物量组分，其可以再循环到与生产含纤维素的产品相关的另一位点， 含有非生物量成分。 在某些情况下，在第一位置处产生废物流，在第二位置进行纤维素预处理（如果需要）和水解，并且将非生物质成分再循环到第一位置或第三位置。 非生物质成分可以包括例如金属，金属氧化物，盐，有机化合物，无机化合物，低聚物或聚合物。

公开(公告)号：US20140186903A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-03

申请号：US14083115

申请日：2013-11-18

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

Inventor： Theodora RETSINA ,  Vesa PYLKKANEN ,  Kimberly NELSON ,  Ryan O'CONNOR

IPC: C07C51/09 ,  C12P17/04 ,  C07D307/50 ,  C12P7/40

CPC classification number: C07D307/50 ,  C07C51/09 ,  C07C51/16 ,  C12P7/40 ,  C12P17/04 ,  Y02E50/16 ,  C07C59/76 ,  C07C53/02

Abstract: In some variations, the invention provides a process for producing furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and/or levulinic acid from cellulosic biomass, comprising: fractionating the feedstock in the presence of a solvent for lignin, sulfur dioxide, and water, to produce a liquor containing hemicellulose, cellulose-rich solids, and lignin; hydrolyzing the hemicellulose contained in the liquor, to produce hemicellulosic monomers; dehydrating the hemicellulose to convert at least a portion of C5 hemicelluloses to furfural and to convert at least a portion of C6 hemicelluloses to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural; converting at least some of the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to levulinic acid and formic acid; and recovering at least one of the furfural, the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, or the levulinic acid. Other embodiments provide a process for dehydrating hemicellulose to convert oligomeric C5 hemicelluloses to furfural and to convert oligomeric C6 hemicelluloses to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. The furfural may be converted to succinic acid, or to levulinic acid, for example.

Abstract translation: 在一些变型中，本发明提供了一种从纤维素生物质产生糠醛，5-羟甲基糠醛和/或乙酰丙酸的方法，包括：在木素，二氧化硫和水的溶剂存在下，将原料分馏，以产生液体 含有半纤维素，富含纤维素的固体和木质素; 水解液体中所含的半纤维素，以产生半纤维素单体; 使半纤维素脱水以将至少一部分C5半纤维素转化为糠醛并将至少一部分C6半纤维素转化为5-羟甲基糠醛; 将至少一些5-羟甲基糠醛转化成乙酰丙酸和甲酸; 并回收至少一种糠醛，5-羟甲基糠醛或乙酰丙酸。 其它实施方案提供了使半纤维素脱水以将低聚C5半纤维素转化为糠醛并将低聚C6半纤维素转化为5-羟甲基糠醛的方法。 例如，糠醛可以转化为琥珀酸或乙酰丙酸。

公开(公告)号：US20140182582A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-03

申请号：US14141415

申请日：2013-12-26

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

Inventor： Theodora RETSINA ,  Vesa PYLKKANEN ,  Ryan O'CONNOR

IPC: C08B15/00 ,  C13K1/02

CPC classification number: C13K1/02 ,  C08B37/0057 ,  C08H8/00

Abstract: In some variations, the invention provides a process for producing purified cellulose, comprising: providing a feedstock comprising lignocellulosic biomass; contacting the feedstock with sulfur dioxide, water, and a solvent for lignin, to produce intermediate solids and a liquid phase comprising hemicelluloses and lignin; mildly bleaching the intermediate solids to further delignify the intermediate solids, thereby generating cellulose-rich solids; and washing the cellulose-rich solids to generate purified cellulose with less than 2 weight percent lignin. The bleaching may employ bleaching agents including lignin-modifying enzymes. The bleaching and washing steps may be combined. It is also possible to carry out bleaching prior to, or simultaneously with, biomass fractionation in the digestor, which may help reduce downstream lignin precipitation. The purified cellulose may be utilized for making cellulose materials or cellulose derivatives, or for hydrolysis to produce glucose.

Abstract translation: 在一些变型中，本发明提供了一种生产纯化纤维素的方法，包括：提供包含木质纤维素生物质的原料; 使原料与二氧化硫，水和木质素溶剂接触，以产生中间体固体和包含半纤维素和木质素的液相; 轻度漂白中间体固体以进一步脱木质中间体固体，从而产生富含纤维素的固体; 并洗涤富含纤维素的固体以产生具有小于2重量％木质素的纯化纤维素。 漂白剂可以使用漂白剂，包括木质素修饰酶。 漂白和洗涤步骤可以组合。 也可以在消化器之前或同时进行漂白，这可有助于减少下游的木质素沉淀。 纯化的纤维素可用于制备纤维素材料或纤维素衍生物，或用于水解产生葡萄糖。

公开(公告)号：US20140154759A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-05

申请号：US14173239

申请日：2014-02-05

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

Inventor： Theodora RETSINA ,  Vesa PYLKKANEN

IPC: C10L5/44 ,  C13K1/02 ,  F23G7/12 ,  C12P7/54 ,  C12P7/16 ,  C12P7/06 ,  C05F17/00 ,  C12P7/56

CPC classification number: C05F17/00 ,  C08B1/003 ,  C08H8/00 ,  C10L5/44 ,  C10L2290/08 ,  C10L2290/10 ,  C10L2290/544 ,  C12P7/06 ,  C12P7/10 ,  C12P7/16 ,  C12P7/54 ,  C12P7/56 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C12P2201/00 ,  C13K1/02 ,  F23G7/12 ,  Y02E50/10 ,  Y02E50/16 ,  Y02E50/17 ,  Y02E50/30 ,  Y02P20/145 ,  Y02W30/43

Abstract: This invention provides processes and apparatus to convert biomass, including wood and agricultural residues, into low-ash biomass pellets for combustion, alone or in combination with another solid fuel. Some embodiments provide processes for producing low-ash biomass from cellulosic biomass, comprising providing an aqueous extraction solution with acetic acid; extracting the feedstock to produce an extract liquor containing soluble ash, hemicellulosic oligomers, acetic acid, dissolved lignin, and cellulose-rich solids; dewatering and drying the cellulose-rich, lignin-rich solids to produce a low-ash biomass; hydrolyzing the hemicellulosic oligomers to produce hemicellulosic sugars, wherein additional acetic acid is generated; removing a vapor stream comprising vaporized acetic acid from the extract; and recycling the vapor or its condensate to provide some starting acetic acid for the extraction solution. The disclosed processes can produce clean power from biomass. Co-products may include fermentable sugars, fermentation products such as ethanol, fertilizers, and lignin.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了将生物质（包括木材和农业残余物）转化为低灰分生物质颗粒以用于燃烧，单独或与另一种固体燃料组合的方法和装置。 一些实施方案提供了用于从纤维素生物质生产低灰分生物质的方法，包括用乙酸提供水提取溶液; 提取原料以产生含有可溶性灰分，半纤维素低聚物，乙酸，溶解的木质素和富含纤维素的固体的提取液; 脱水和干燥富含纤维素的木质素固体以产生低灰分生物质; 水解半纤维素低聚物以产生半纤维素糖，其中产生额外的乙酸; 从提取物中除去包含蒸发的乙酸的蒸气流; 并再循环蒸气或其冷凝物，为提取液提供一些起始乙酸。 所公开的方法可以从生物质产生清洁的动力。 副产物可包括可发酵糖，发酵产物如乙醇，肥料和木质素。

公开(公告)号：US20130295628A1

公开(公告)日：2013-11-07

申请号：US13874761

申请日：2013-05-01

Applicant: API INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS, LLC

Inventor： Theodora RETSINA ,  Vesa PYLKKANEN ,  Ryan O'CONNOR

IPC: C08B1/00 ,  C13K13/00 ,  F23G5/027 ,  C10L5/44

CPC classification number: C08B1/003 ,  C08H8/00 ,  C10L5/40 ,  C10L5/44 ,  C10L9/083 ,  C10L2290/02 ,  C10L2290/04 ,  C10L2290/26 ,  C10L2290/28 ,  C10L2290/30 ,  C10L2290/544 ,  C13K1/02 ,  C13K13/00 ,  F23G5/027 ,  Y02E50/10 ,  Y02E50/15 ,  Y02E50/16 ,  Y02E50/30

Abstract: This invention provides processes to convert biomass into energy-dense biomass for combustion, alone or in combination with another solid fuel. In some variations, biomass is extracted to produce an extract liquor containing hemicellulosic oligomers and cellulose-rich solids; hemicellulosic oligomers are removed; and the cellulose-rich solids are torrefied to produce energy-dense biomass. In some embodiments, hydrotorrefaction is employed to produce hydrophobic, energy-dense biomass in an energy-efficient process that avoids intermediate drying between extraction/hydrolysis and torrefaction. The energy-dense biomass may be pelletized or directly combusted or gasified. The hemicellulosic oligomers may be hydrolyzed to fermentable sugars and then fermented to ethanol or other products, or further reacted to produce furfural or other products.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了将生物质转化为能量密集生物质用于燃烧的方法，单独或与另一种固体燃料组合。 在一些变型中，提取生物质以产生含有半纤维素低聚物和富含纤维素的固体的提取液; 去除半纤维素低聚物; 并且富含纤维素的固体被焙烧以产生能量密集的生物质。 在一些实施方案中，采用水力反应在能量有效的方法中产生疏水的，能量密集的生物质，其避免了萃取/水解和烘焙之间的中间干燥。 能量密度的生物质可以被造粒或直接燃烧或气化。 半纤维素低聚物可以水解成可发酵糖，然后发酵成乙醇或其他产物，或进一步反应生成糠醛或其它产物。

公开(公告)号：US20190316157A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-17

申请号：US16279014

申请日：2019-02-19

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

Inventor： Theodora RETSINA ,  Vesa PYLKKANEN

IPC: C12P7/18 ,  C12P7/10 ,  C12P7/14

Abstract: What is disclosed is a biorefining process to co-produce xylitol with ethanol or other products. In some variations, a process for producing ethanol and xylitol from lignocellulosic biomass, comprises: extracting hemicelluloses from lignocellulosic biomass, wherein the hemicelluloses include xylose oligomers and other sugar oligomers; hydrolyzing the xylose oligomers and the other sugar oligomers, using an acid catalyst or enzymes, to generate xylose and other sugar monomers, respectively; fermenting the other sugar monomers to ethanol using a suitable ethanol-producing microorganism; removing at least some of the ethanol (to increase concentration of xylose); fermenting the xylose to xylitol using a suitable xylitol-producing microorganism; and recovering the xylitol at high concentration.

公开(公告)号：US20190271114A1

公开(公告)日：2019-09-05

申请号：US16180174

申请日：2018-11-05

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

Inventor： Kimberly NELSON ,  Theodora RETSINA ,  Vesa PYLKKANEN ,  Ryan O'CONNOR

IPC: D21H11/18 ,  D21C9/10 ,  D21C9/00 ,  D21C3/06 ,  D21H21/32 ,  D21H17/66 ,  D21H11/06 ,  C13K1/02 ,  D21C3/04

Abstract: Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with sulfur dioxide or a sulfite compound and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The total mechanical energy may be less than 500 kilowatt-hours per ton. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the nanocellulose to form completely renewable composites.

公开(公告)号：US20180298113A1

公开(公告)日：2018-10-18

申请号：US16014589

申请日：2018-06-21

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

Inventor： Kimberly NELSON ,  Theodora RETSINA

IPC: C08B15/08 ,  C09K8/10 ,  D21C1/02 ,  C09K8/64 ,  C09K8/68 ,  C13K1/02 ,  D21B1/06 ,  D21C3/00 ,  C08H8/00 ,  C09K8/34 ,  D21C3/06 ,  C07G1/00 ,  C08B37/00 ,  D21H11/18 ,  D21C11/00 ,  D21C9/00 ,  D21C5/00 ,  D21C9/10

Abstract: Some variations provide a new nanolignocellulose composition comprising, on a bone-dry, ash-free, and acetyl-free basis, from 35 wt % to 80 wt % cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose microfibrils, or a combination thereof, from 15 wt % to 45 wt % lignin, and from 5 wt % to 20 wt % hemicelluloses. The hemicelluloses may contain xylan or mannan as the major component. Novel properties arise from the hemicellulose content that is intermediate between high hemicellulose content of raw biomass and low hemicellulose content of conventional nanocellulose. The nanolignocellulose composition is hydrophobic due to the presence of lignin. Processes for making and using the nanolignocellulose compositions are also described.