公开(公告)号：US20150232703A1

公开(公告)日：2015-08-20

申请号：US14606200

申请日：2015-01-27

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

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

IPC: C09D197/00 ,  C04B16/02 ,  C09K8/035 ,  H01B1/12 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C12P19/02 ,  B01J31/06

CPC classification number: C09D197/005 ,  C04B16/02 ,  C08B37/0057 ,  C08H6/00 ,  C08H8/00 ,  C08L1/02 ,  C08L5/14 ,  C08L97/005 ,  C08L97/02 ,  C09K8/035 ,  C09K2208/08 ,  C12P7/10 ,  C12P19/02 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C12P2203/00 ,  C13K1/02 ,  D21H17/23 ,  D21H17/25 ,  D21H19/34 ,  D21H19/52 ,  Y02E50/16 ,  Y10T428/2991 ,  C04B20/1029

Abstract: Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity, hydrophobic cellulose. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and depositing lignin onto cellulose fibers to produce lignin-coated cellulose materials (such as dissolving pulp). The crystallinity of the cellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. 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 hydrophobic cellulose to form completely renewable composites.

Abstract translation: 所公开的方法能够将生物质转化为高结晶度的疏水纤维素。 在一些变型中，该方法包括用酸（例如二氧化硫），溶剂（例如乙醇）和水分解生物质，以产生富含纤维素的固体和含有半纤维素和木质素的液体; 并将木质素沉积在纤维素纤维上以制备涂有木素的纤维素材料（如溶解纸浆）。 纤维素材料的结晶度可以为80％以上，转化为复合材料的良好的增强性能。 任选地，衍生自无定形纤维素和半纤维素的糖可以单独发酵，例如用于各种聚合物的单体。 这些聚合物可以与疏水纤维素结合形成完全可再生的复合材料。

公开(公告)号：US20150204017A1

公开(公告)日：2015-07-23

申请号：US14673842

申请日：2015-03-30

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

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

IPC: D21H11/18 ,  C07G1/00 ,  C08B15/00 ,  C12P7/10 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C12P7/14 ,  C12P19/02 ,  C12P7/04 ,  C12P7/28 ,  C12P7/16 ,  C12P7/56 ,  C12P7/46 ,  D21C11/00 ,  D21C5/00 ,  D21C3/06 ,  C13K1/02

CPC classification number: C08B15/08 ,  C07G1/00 ,  C08B15/00 ,  C08B15/02 ,  C08B37/0057 ,  C08H8/00 ,  C08L1/02 ,  C12P7/04 ,  C12P7/10 ,  C12P7/14 ,  C12P7/16 ,  C12P7/28 ,  C12P7/46 ,  C12P7/56 ,  C12P19/02 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C12P2201/00 ,  C12P2203/00 ,  C13K1/02 ,  D21C3/04 ,  D21C3/06 ,  D21C3/20 ,  D21C5/00 ,  D21C5/005 ,  D21C9/002 ,  D21C9/007 ,  D21C9/10 ,  D21C11/0007 ,  D21H11/18 ,  Y02E50/16 ,  Y02P40/44

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 lignosulfonic acids, to generate cellulose-rich solids; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The strong lignosulfonic acids created during delignification give a pH less than 1 and hydrolyze preferentially the amorphous regions of cellulose. 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 lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented to co-products.

Abstract translation: 所公开的方法能够以低机械能输入将生物质转化为高结晶度纳米纤维素。 在一些变型中，该方法包括用木质素磺酸分解生物质，以产生富含纤维素的固体; 并机械处理富含纤维素的固体以形成纳米原纤维和/或纳米晶体。 在脱木质素期间产生的强木质素磺酸产生小于1的pH并优先水解纤维素的无定形区域。 总机械能可能小于500千瓦时/吨。 纳米纤维素材料的结晶度可以为80％以上，转化为复合材料的良好的增强性能。 纳米纤维素材料可以包括纳米纤维化纤维素，纳米晶纤维素或两者。 在一些实施方案中，纳米纤维素材料通过将木质素沉积到纤维素表面上是疏水的。 任选地，衍生自无定形纤维素和半纤维素的糖可以单独发酵成副产物。

公开(公告)号：US20150184345A1

公开(公告)日：2015-07-02

申请号：US14584593

申请日：2014-12-29

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

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

IPC: D21H21/32 ,  D21H17/66 ,  D21H11/18 ,  C13K1/02 ,  D21H11/06

CPC classification number: D21H11/18 ,  C13K1/02 ,  D21C3/04 ,  D21C3/06 ,  D21C9/007 ,  D21C9/10 ,  D21H11/06 ,  D21H17/66 ,  D21H21/32

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.

Abstract translation: 所公开的方法能够以低机械能输入将生物质转化为高结晶度纳米纤维素。 在一些变型中，该方法包括用二氧化硫或亚硫酸盐化合物和水分解生物质，以产生富含纤维素的固体和含有半纤维素和木质素的液体; 并机械处理富含纤维素的固体以形成纳米原纤维和/或纳米晶体。 总机械能可能小于500千瓦时/吨。 纳米纤维素材料的结晶度可以为80％以上，转化为复合材料的良好的增强性能。 纳米纤维素材料可以包括纳米纤维化纤维素，纳米晶纤维素或两者。 在一些实施方案中，通过将一些木质素沉积到纤维素表面上，纳米纤维素材料是疏水的。 任选地，衍生自无定形纤维素和半纤维素的糖可以单独发酵，例如用于各种聚合物的单体。 这些聚合物可与纳米纤维素结合形成完全可再生的复合材料。

公开(公告)号：US20150167969A1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-18

申请号：US14633326

申请日：2015-02-27

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

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

IPC: F23G7/10 ,  C12P3/00 ,  F23G5/04 ,  C10J3/02 ,  F23G5/033 ,  C12P7/10 ,  C12P7/16

CPC classification number: C10J3/02 ,  C08B37/0057 ,  C08H6/00 ,  C08H8/00 ,  C10J2300/0909 ,  C10J2300/0916 ,  C10J2300/1625 ,  C10L5/363 ,  C10L5/40 ,  C10L5/44 ,  C10L9/083 ,  C10L2290/02 ,  C10L2290/04 ,  C10L2290/10 ,  C10L2290/26 ,  C10L2290/28 ,  C10L2290/30 ,  C10L2290/544 ,  C10L2290/545 ,  C10L2290/547 ,  C12P3/00 ,  C12P7/10 ,  C12P7/16 ,  C13K1/02 ,  C13K13/00 ,  Y02E50/10 ,  Y02E50/15 ,  Y02E50/16 ,  Y02E50/30 ,  Y02P20/136

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing biomass pellets and fermentable sugars from cellulosic biomass, comprising: extracting cellulosic biomass feedstock with steam and/or hot water to produce an extract liquor containing hemicellulosic oligomers, dissolved lignin, and cellulose-rich solids, wherein at least some of the steam and/or hot water is derived from an internal or external source of fermentation vinasse; separating at least a portion of the hemicellulosic oligomers from the cellulose-rich solids, to produce intermediate solids; hydrotorrefying the intermediate solids to produce the energy-dense biomass, wherein water for hydrotorrefaction is derived, at least in part, from the internal or external source of fermentation vinasse; pelletizing the energy-dense biomass to form biomass pellets; and hydrolyzing the hemicellulosic oligomers into fermentable sugars. The fermentation vinasse may be recycled from downstream operations involving fermentation of the sugars. Or the fermentation vinasse may be obtained from a first-generation ethanol plant, for example.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了一种用于从纤维素生物质生产生物质颗粒和可发酵糖的方法，其包括：用蒸汽和/或热水提取纤维素生物质原料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，其中至少 一些蒸汽和/或热水源自发酵葡萄酒的内部或外部来源; 从富含纤维素的固体中分离出至少一部分半纤维素低聚物以产生中间体固体; 氢化中间体固体以产生能量密度生物质，其中用于水力反应的水至少部分地源自发酵葡萄酒的内部或外部来源; 将能量密度生物质造粒以形成生物质颗粒; 并将半纤维素寡聚物水解成可发酵糖。 发酵葡萄酒可以从涉及发酵糖的下游操作中回收。 或者，例如可以从第一代乙醇装置获得发酵葡萄酒。

公开(公告)号：US20150004654A1

公开(公告)日：2015-01-01

申请号：US14314787

申请日：2014-06-25

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

Inventor： Theodora RETSINA ,  Vesa PYLKKANEN

IPC: C10L5/44 ,  C12P19/02 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C13K1/02

CPC classification number: C10L5/44 ,  C10L5/143 ,  C10L5/363 ,  C10L5/445 ,  C12P19/02 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C13K1/02 ,  C13K13/00 ,  C13K13/002 ,  Y02E50/10 ,  Y02E50/15 ,  Y02E50/30

Abstract: In this disclosure, a process for producing biomass pellets and sugars from cellulosic biomass is provided, comprising: extracting the feedstock with steam and/or hot water and optionally with an acid catalyst, to produce cellulose-rich solids and an extract liquor containing hemicellulosic oligomers and lignin; separating the cellulose-rich solids from the extract liquor; filtering the extract liquor to remove at least some of the lignin, thereby generating a filter permeate comprising cleaned extract liquor containing the hemicellulosic oligomers and a filter retentate comprising a lignin-rich stream; hydrolyzing the hemicellulosic oligomers in the cleaned extract liquor with an acid or enzymes, to generate hemicellulosic monomers which are recovered; and pelletizing the cellulose-rich solids to form biomass pellets, wherein the pelletizing utilizes at least some of the lignin-rich stream as a binder or binder component.

Abstract translation: 在本公开中，提供了一种从纤维素生物质生产生物质颗粒和糖的方法，其包括：用蒸汽和/或热水和任选地用酸催化剂萃取原料以产生富含纤维素的固体和含有半纤维素低聚物的提取液 和木质素; 从提取液中分离富含纤维素的固体; 过滤提取液以除去至少一些木质素，从而产生包含含有半纤维素低聚物的清洁提取液和包含富木质素流的过滤器渗余物的过滤器渗透物; 用酸或酶水解清洁的提取液中的半纤维素低聚物，以产生回收的半纤维素单体; 并且将富含纤维素的固体造粒以形成生物质颗粒，其中造粒使用至少一些富木质素流作为粘合剂或粘合剂组分。

公开(公告)号：US20140356915A1

公开(公告)日：2014-12-04

申请号：US14286075

申请日：2014-05-23

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

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

IPC: C12P7/06 ,  C12P13/20 ,  C12P13/14 ,  C12P13/08 ,  C12P13/06 ,  C12P17/06 ,  C12P17/04 ,  C12P7/40 ,  C12P7/58 ,  C12P7/56 ,  C12P7/54 ,  C12P7/52 ,  C12P7/48 ,  C12P7/46 ,  C12P7/42 ,  C12P7/28 ,  C12P7/04 ,  C12P7/18 ,  C12P7/20 ,  C12P7/16 ,  C12P7/14 ,  C07H3/02 ,  C12P13/24

CPC classification number: C12P7/04 ,  C08B37/0057 ,  C08H6/00 ,  C08H8/00 ,  C12P7/28 ,  C12P7/40 ,  C12P2201/00 ,  C12P2203/00 ,  Y02E50/17 ,  Y02P20/125

Abstract: Processes are described for fractionating lignocellulosic biomass into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, comprising fractionating lignocellulosic biomass in the presence of a solvent for lignin (such as ethanol), a hydrolysis catalyst (such as sulfur dioxide), and water, to produce a liquor containing hemicellulose, cellulose-rich solids, and lignin; hydrolyzing the hemicellulose to produce hemicellulosic monomers; saccharifying the cellulose-rich solids to produce glucose; recovering the hemicellulosic monomers and the glucose, separately or in a combined stream, as fermentable sugars; and fermenting the fermentable sugars to a fermentation product having a higher normal boiling point than water. Process integration of mass and/or energy is disclosed in many specific embodiments. The fermentation product may include an organic acid, an alcohol, a diol, or combinations thereof.

Abstract translation: 描述了将木质纤维素生物质分馏成纤维素，半纤维素和木质素的方法，包括在木质素（例如乙醇）的溶剂，水解催化剂（例如二氧化硫）和水）存在下分馏木质纤维素生物质，以产生液体 含有半纤维素，富含纤维素的固体和木质素; 水解半纤维素以产生半纤维素单体; 糖化富含纤维素的固体以产生葡萄糖; 将半纤维素单体和葡萄糖单独或以组合的流中回收作为可发酵的糖; 并将可发酵糖发酵成具有比水更高的标准沸点的发酵产物。 在许多具体实施例中公开了质量和/或能量的过程整合。 发酵产物可以包括有机酸，醇，二醇或其组合。

公开(公告)号：US20140308720A1

公开(公告)日：2014-10-16

申请号：US14250989

申请日：2014-04-11

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

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

IPC: C07C51/36 ,  C12P7/40

CPC classification number: C12P7/40 ,  C07C51/367 ,  C07C51/42 ,  C07C59/185

Abstract: This invention provides processes to convert biomass, including wood and agricultural residues, to levulinic acid and co-products. Some variations treat feedstock with steam and/or hot water to produce an extract liquor containing hemicellulosic oligomers, lignin, and cellulose-rich solids, wherein the hemicellulosic oligomers comprise C5 hemicelluloses and C6 hemicelluloses; separate the cellulose-rich solids from the extract liquor, to produce dewatered solids containing cellulose and lignin; dehydrate the hemicellulosic oligomers to convert the C6 hemicelluloses directly to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural; and convert the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to levulinic acid. Also, the cellulose may be dehydrated directly to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, which may then be converted to additional levulinic acid. Various biorefinery embodiments are disclosed, in which C5 and C6 sugars are processed separately or in combination.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供将包括木材和农业残余物在内的生物质转化为乙酰丙酸和副产物的方法。 一些变型用蒸汽和/或热水处理原料以产生含有半纤维素低聚物，木质素和富含纤维素的固体的提取液，其中半纤维素低聚物包含C5半纤维素和C6半纤维素; 从提取液中分离富含纤维素的固体，以产生含有纤维素和木质素的脱水固体; 使半纤维素低聚物脱水以将C6半纤维素直接转化成5-羟甲基糠醛; 并将5-羟甲基糠醛转化成乙酰丙酸。 此外，纤维素可以直接脱水至5-羟甲基糠醛，然后将其转化为另外的乙酰丙酸。 公开了各种生物精炼实施方案，其中C5和C6糖是单独处理或组合加工的。

公开(公告)号：US20140186901A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-03

申请号：US14141683

申请日：2013-12-27

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

Inventor： Theodora RETSINA ,  Vesa PYLKKANEN ,  Kimberly NELSON ,  James Christian SAMP

IPC: C08B1/00 ,  C12P19/02

CPC classification number: C12P19/02 ,  C08B37/0003 ,  C08B37/0057 ,  C08H6/00 ,  C08H8/00 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C12P2201/00 ,  C12P2203/00 ,  D21C3/20 ,  D21C3/222

Abstract: In some variations, the invention provides a process for fractionating biomass, comprising: fractionating the biomass 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; hydrolyzing the cellulose-rich solids to produce glucose; and recovering the hemicellulosic monomers and the glucose, as fermentable sugars, wherein a metal sulfite or metal bisulfite additive is introduced to react directly or indirectly with lignin to produce sulfonated lignin. The disclosed processes may enhance lignin separations as well as promote the co-product potential of lignin.

Abstract translation: 在一些变型中，本发明提供了一种用于分馏生物质的方法，包括：在木素，二氧化硫和水的溶剂存在下分解生物质，以产生含有半纤维素，富含纤维素的固体和木质素的液体; 水解液体中所含的半纤维素，以产生半纤维素单体; 水解富含纤维素的固体产生葡萄糖; 并回收半纤维素单体和葡萄糖作为可发酵糖，其中引入金属亚硫酸盐或金属亚硫酸氢盐添加剂直接或间接与木质素反应以产生磺化的木质素。 所公开的方法可以增强木质素分离以及促进木质素的共同产物潜力。

公开(公告)号：US20140186899A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-03

申请号：US14142923

申请日：2013-12-30

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

Inventor： Theodora RETSINA ,  Vesa PYLKKANEN

IPC: C08B1/00 ,  D21C3/06

CPC classification number: D21C3/06 ,  C08B37/0057 ,  C08H6/00 ,  C08H8/00 ,  C12P19/02 ,  C12P19/14 ,  C12P2201/00 ,  C13K1/02 ,  D21C3/04 ,  D21C3/20 ,  D21C11/0007 ,  Y02P40/44

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for fractionating lignocellulosic biomass, comprising: contacting biomass with SO2, water, and optionally a first solvent, to produce intermediate solids; then contacting the intermediate solids with SO2, water, and a second solvent, to produce cellulose-rich solids and a liquid phase comprising hemicelluloses and lignin. The first concentration of SO2 may be lower or higher than the second concentration of SO2. It is desirable to vary the SO2 and solvent concentrations in different stages to optimize the removal of hemicellulose versus lignin. The resulting cellulose-rich material can contain very low hemicellulose, very low lignin, or both low hemicellulose and low lignin. High-purity cellulose is useful both for producing glucose as well as for cellulose products or derivatives. The hemicelluloses may be hydrolyzed to produce monomeric sugars, and the lignin may be recovered as a co-product.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了一种用于分馏木质纤维素生物质的方法，包括：使生物质与SO 2，水和任选的第一溶剂接触以产生中间体固体; 然后使中间固体与SO 2，水和第二溶剂接触，以产生富含纤维素的固体和包含半纤维素和木质素的液相。 SO2的第一浓度可以低于或高于第二浓度的SO 2。 期望在不同阶段改变SO 2和溶剂浓度以优化半纤维素与木质素的去除。 所得到的富含纤维素的材料可以含有非常低的半纤维素，非常低的木质素或低的半纤维素和低木质素。 高纯度纤维素既可用于生产葡萄糖，也可用于纤维素产品或衍生物。 半纤维素可以被水解以产生单体糖，并且木质素可以作为副产物回收。

公开(公告)号：US20140186898A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-03

申请号：US14142922

申请日：2013-12-30

Applicant: API Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

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

IPC: C12P19/14 ,  C12P19/02

CPC classification number: C12P19/14 ,  C12P19/02 ,  C12P2201/00

Abstract: The invention provides processes for producing fermentable sugars from whole biomass that includes cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and non-lignocellulosic sugars. Some variations fractionate the whole feedstock in the presence of sulfur dioxide, a solvent for lignin, and water, to produce a liquor containing hemicellulose, cellulose-rich solids, lignin, and the non-lignocellulosic sugars. After removing the cellulose-rich solids from the liquor, the hemicellulose is hydrolyzed to hemicellulosic monomers; the cellulose-rich solids are hydrolyzed to glucose; and the hemicellulosic monomers, the glucose, and the non-lignocellulosic sugars are all recovered (separately or in combination) as fermentable sugars. The whole biomass feedstock may be selected from sugarcane, energy cane, corn, wheat, rice, sugar beets, energy beets, etc. Typical non-lignocellulosic sugars are sucrose or starch, which may be converted to monomer sugars during initial fractionation. The invention provides a convenient biorefining system, avoiding expensive logistics associated with separating agricultural residues at harvest or following transportation.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了从包括纤维素，半纤维素，木质素和非木质纤维素糖的整个生物质生产可发酵糖的方法。 在二氧化硫，木质素和水的溶剂存在下，一些变化使整个原料分馏，以产生含有半纤维素，富含纤维素的固体，木质素和非木质纤维素糖的液体。 从液体中除去富含纤维素的固体后，将半纤维素水解成半纤维素单体; 富含纤维素的固体被水解成葡萄糖; 和半纤维素单体，葡萄糖和非木质纤维素糖都作为可发酵的糖回收（单独或组合）。 整个生物质原料可以选自甘蔗，能源甘蔗，玉米，小麦，大米，甜菜，能量甜菜等。典型的非木质纤维素糖是蔗糖或淀粉，其可以在初始分馏过程中转化为单体糖。 本发明提供了一种方便的生物精炼系统，避免了在收获期间或运输后分离农业残留物相关的昂贵物流。