BIOMASS TREATMENT FOR HYPERTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

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. 1. A method for selective removal of detrimental metals and their anion species from a cellulosic biomass solids , said method comprising a plurality of vessels:a. providing each of said vessels with one of detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids;{'sup': '2', 'b. introducing a first dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase comprising an acidic solution having a pH of at most 4 from an inlet into a first vessel of said plurality of vessel wherein the cellulosic biomass solids in the first vessel is contacted by said first dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase and first continuous gas phase at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 60° C. wherein the flux of the first liquid phase is at least 1 kg/(ms);'}c. repeating step (b) for a second vessel of said plurality of vessels;{'sup': '2', 'd. introducing a second dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase comprising an aqueous solution having a pH of at least 5 from an inlet into said first vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (b) wherein said acidic solution-treated cellulosic biomass solids in the first vessel is contacted by said second dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase and second continuous gas phase wherein the flux of the second liquid phase is at least 1 kg/(ms) and discharging an acidic effluent;'}e. repeating step (d) for the second vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (c);{'sup': '2', 'f. introducing a third dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase comprising a base solution having a pH of greater than 9 from an inlet ...

PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FURURAL AND FURFURAL DERIVATIVES

The present invention provides a process for preparing furfural and furfural derivatives using a furfural-derived solvent. 1. A process for preparing furfural and/or furfural derivatives , comprising:{'sub': '5', '(a) providing an aqueous Csugar-containing feed stream;'}{'sub': 5', '5, '(b) contacting an aqueous phase comprising the aqueous Csugar-containing feed stream with an organic phase comprising organic solvent at a temperature in the range of about 100° C. to about 300° C. for a time sufficient to effect a dehydration reaction to convert Csugar to furfural, wherein at least part of the furfural dissolves in the organic solvent phase to form a furfural-containing organic phase;'}(c) separating the furfural-containing organic phase from the aqueous phase;(d) converting at least part of the furfural to a tetrahydrofuranic derivative to obtain tetrahydrofuranic derivative-containing product; and(e) providing at least part of the tetrahydrofuranic derivative to step (b) as organic solvent.3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the furfural is converted to a tetrahydrofuranic derivative by one or a combination of:i) a hydrogenation of the furfural, optionally followed by an alkylation;ii) an aldol-condensation; oriii) an etherification.4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the furfural is converted to 2-methyltetrahydrofuran by hydrogenating part of the furfural in the presence of a reactor bed comprising at least a first catalyst to obtain 2-methyltetrahydrofuran-containing product; and wherein in step (e) a least part of the 2-methyltetrahydrofuran is provided to step (b) as organic solvent.5. The process of claim 4 , wherein the hydrogenation is carried out in one stage.6. The process of claim 4 , wherein the first catalyst comprises copper.7. The process of claim 4 , wherein the first catalyst further comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of chromium claim 4 , manganese claim 4 , zinc claim 4 , aluminum and barium.8. The process of claim ...

BIOMASS TREATMENT FOR HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

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. 1. A method for selective removal of at least a portion of detrimental metals and their anions from a detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids comprising:{'sup': '2', 'a. providing a first portion of cellulosic biomass solids being contacted by a first dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase and first continuous gas phase at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 60° C. in a first contact zone wherein the liquid phase comprises acid solution having a pH of at most 4 wherein the flux of the first liquid phase is at least 1 kg/(ms);'}{'sup': '2', 'b. providing said first dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase treated cellulosic biomass solids being contacted by a second dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase and second continuous gas phase at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 60° C. in a second contact zone wherein the liquid phase comprises an aqueous solution having a pH of at least 5 wherein the flux of the second liquid phase is at least 1 kg/(ms);'}{'sup': '2', 'c. providing said second dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase treated cellulosic biomass solids being contacted by a third dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase and third continuous gas phase at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 60° C. in a third contact zone wherein the third liquid phase comprises base solution having a pH of greater than 9 wherein the flux of the third liquid phase is at least 1 kg/(ms);'}{'sup': '2', 'd. providing said third dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase treated cellulosic biomass being ...

ONE-STEP PRODUCTION OF FURFURAL FROM BIOMASS

Methods and processes for the production of valuable organic products and alcohols from biomass using a single-step dehydration extraction process having numerous advantages over prior production methods are described. 1. A process for converting biomass into furfural , the process comprising the steps of:(a) providing a pentosan-containing biomass material;(b) subjecting the pentosan-containing biomass material to an acid catalyzed digestion process and a dehydration reaction in a digestion vessel at a temperature greater than about 100° C. in the presence of an acid, water and a water—immiscible organic solvent to produce a digested product stream comprising water, organic solvent, furfural and solids;(c) separating the digested product stream into a liquid product stream and a solids product stream, the liquid product stream comprising water, organic solvent and furfural;(d) subjecting the liquid product stream to a liquid-liquid extraction for a period of time sufficient to separate the liquid product stream into an aqueous stream and an organic product stream, the organic product stream comprising furfural;(e) separating furfural from the organic product stream to yield furfural and organic solvent; and(f) treating the solids product stream to further remove organic solvent to yield an organic solvent-depleted solids product stream and organic solvent.2. The process of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the organic solvent yielded in step (e) and/or step (f) is recycled to step (b).3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the mixture comprising pentosan containing biomass material claim 1 , water and a water—immiscible organic solvent has a solid-to-liquid weight ratio ranging from about 1:3 to about 1:30.4. The process of claim 3 , wherein the mixture comprising pentosan containing biomass material claim 3 , water and a water—immiscible organic solvent has a solid-to-liquid weight ratio ranging from about 1:6 to about 1:10.5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the ...

PROCESS FOR PREPARING FURFURAL FROM BIOMASS

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 C-carbohydrate compound in monomeric and/or oligomeric form, and dehydrating the C5-carbohydrate compound in the presence of an acid, 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 that can be optionally recycled to the hydrolysis step. 1. A method for producing furfural from biomass material containing pentosan:(a) providing a biomass containing pentosan;{'sub': '5', '(b) contacting 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 C-carbohydrate compound in monomeric and/or oligomeric form, and α-hydroxysulfonic acid;'}{'sub': 5', '5, '(c) separating at least a portion of the α-hydroxysulfonic acid from the product stream containing at least one C-carbohydrate compound to provide an acid-removed product stream containing the at least one C-carbohydrate compound and recovering the α-hydroxysulfonic acid in its component form;'}{'sub': '5', '(d) separating a liquid stream containing said at least one C-carbohydrate compound and a wet solid stream containing remaining biomass from the acid-removed product;'}{'sub': '5', '(e) dehydrating the C-carbohydrate compound in at least a first portion of the liquid stream in the presence of a dehydration acid, 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.;'}(f) separating an organic phase ...

BIOMASS TREATMENT FOR HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

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. 1. A method for selective removal of detrimental metals and their anion species from a cellulosic biomass solids , said method comprising a plurality of vessels:a. providing each of said vessels with one of detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids;b. introducing a quantity of an acidic solution having a pH of at most 4 from an inlet into a first vessel of said plurality of vessels containing said detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 60° C.;c. repeating step (b) for a second vessel of said plurality of vessels;d. introducing a quantity of aqueous solution having a pH of at least 5 from an inlet into said first vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (b) thereby discharging the acidic water effluent;e. repeating step (d) for the second vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (c);f. introducing a quantity of a base solution having a pH of greater than 9 from an inlet into said first vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (d) at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 60° C.;g. repeating step (f) for a second vessel of said plurality of vessels;h. introducing a quantity of aqueous solution having a pH of at most 8 from an inlet into said first vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (f) thereby discharging the basic water effluent;i. repeating step (h) for the second vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (g);j. introducing a quantity of gas or organic solution ...

PROCESS FOR PREPARING FURFURAL FROM BIOMASS

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 C-carbohydrate compound in monomeric and/or oligomeric form, and dehydrating the C-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. 1. A method for producing furfural from biomass material containing pentosan:(a) providing a biomass containing pentosan;{'sub': '5', '(b) contacting 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 C-carbohydrate compound in monomeric and/or oligomeric form, and α-hydroxysulfonic acid;'}{'sub': 5', '5, '(c) separating at least a portion of the α-hydroxysulfonic acid from the product stream containing at least one C-carbohydrate compound to provide an acid-removed product stream containing the at least one C-carbohydrate compound and recovering the α-hydroxysulfonic acid in its component form;'}{'sub': '5', '(d) separating a liquid stream containing said at least one C-carbohydrate compound and a wet solid stream containing remaining biomass from the acid-removed product;'}{'sub': '5', '(e) dehydrating the C-carbohydrate compound in at least a first portion of the liquid stream in the presence of a heterogenous 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 ...

CLOSED-LOOP PRODUCTION OF FURFURAL FROM BIOMASS

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. 1. A closed-loop process for converting biomass into furfural , the process comprising the steps of:(a) providing a pentosan-containing biomass material;{'sub': '5', '(b) subjecting the pentosan-containing biomass material to an acid catalyzed digestion process in a digestion vessel at a temperature greater than about 100° C. for a period of time sufficient to produce a digested product stream comprising C-carbohydrates and solids comprising cellulose;'}{'sub': '5', '(c) separating the digested product stream into a liquid product stream and a solid product stream, the liquid product stream comprising carbohydrate compounds, of which carbohydrate compounds at least 50 wt % are C-carbohydrate compounds, based on the weight of carbohydrate compounds in the liquid product stream, and the solid product stream comprising solids comprising cellulose;'}{'sub': '5', '(d) subjecting the C-carbohydrate in the liquid product stream to a dehydration reaction in a reaction vessel at a temperature in the range of from about 100° C. to about 250° C. in the presence of an acid catalyst and a biphasic mixture comprising an aqueous phase and a water-immiscible organic phase, which comprises an organic solvent ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING LIGNIN THROUGH VISCOSITY REDUCTION DURING HYDROTHERMAL DIGESTION OF CELLULOSIC BIOMASS SOLIDS

Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by lignin release therefrom, which can produce a highly viscous phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer. Systems for processing a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer may comprise: a hydrothermal digestion unit; a viscosity measurement device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit; a temperature control device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit; and a processing device communicatively coupled to the viscosity measurement device and the temperature control device, the processing device being configured to actuate the temperature control device if the viscosity of a fluid phase comprising lignin exceeds a threshold value in the biomass conversion system. 1. A method comprising: a hydrothermal digestion unit;', 'a viscosity measurement device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit;', 'a temperature control device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit, the temperature control device configured to control a temperature in the hydrothermal digestion unit; and', 'a processing device communicatively coupled to the viscosity measurement device and the temperature control device;, 'providing a biomass conversion system comprisingproviding the hydrothermal digestion unit with cellulosic biomass solids in the presence of a digestion solvent, molecular hydrogen, and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen;heating the cellulosic biomass solids to a temperature of at least 150 degrees C. to form a reaction product comprising a fluid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase;measuring a viscosity of the fluid phase ...

BIOMASS CONVERSION SYSTEMS HAVING INTEGRATED HEAT MANAGEMENT AND METHODS FOR USE THEREOF

Biomass conversion systems may incorporate integrated heat management to operate more efficiently during biomass conversion. Biomass conversion systems may comprise a first fluid circulation loop comprising a hydrothermal digestion unit, and a first catalytic reduction reactor unit in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit; and a second fluid circulation loop comprising a reaction product take-off line in fluid communication with the first fluid circulation loop, a second catalytic reduction reactor unit in fluid communication with the reaction product take-off line, and a recycle line establishing fluid communication between the first fluid circulation loop and an outlet of the second catalytic reduction reactor unit, where the first catalytic reduction reactor unit contains at least one first catalyst and the second catalytic reduction reactor unit contains at least one second catalyst, each being capable of activating molecular hydrogen. 1. A biomass conversion system comprising: a hydrothermal digestion unit; and', 'wherein the first catalytic reduction reactor unit contains at least one first catalyst that is capable of activating molecular hydrogen; and', 'a first catalytic reduction reactor unit in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit;'}], 'a first fluid circulation loop comprising a reaction product take-off line in fluid communication with the first fluid circulation loop;', 'wherein the second catalytic reduction reactor unit contains at least one second catalyst that is capable of activating molecular hydrogen; and', 'a second catalytic reduction reactor unit in fluid communication with the reaction product take-off line;'}, 'a recycle line establishing fluid communication between the first fluid circulation loop and an outlet of the second catalytic reduction reactor unit., 'a second fluid circulation loop comprising2. The biomass conversion system of claim 1 , ...

PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ALCOHOLS FROM BIOMASS

Alcohols useful as fuel compositions are produced from biomass by pretreating the biomass prior to hydrolysis and fermentation. In the pretreatment, the biomass is contacted with an aqueous solution containing a dilute acid with concentration of up to 10 wt % producing a predigested stream containing an aqueous liquor that contains at least a portion of hemicelluloses and a residual biomass that contains celluloses and lignin; separating at least a portion of the aqueous liquor from the residual biomass providing an aqueous liquor stream and a pre-digested biomass stream; then contacting the pre-digested 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. 1. A process for producing alcohol is provided comprising:(a) providing a biomass containing celluloses, hemicelluloses and lignin;(b) contacting said biomass at a temperature within the range from about 130° C. to about 230° C. with an aqueous solution comprising a dilute acid with concentration of up to 10 wt % in an aqueous solution to biomass ratio in the range of 2 to 10 thereby producing a predigested stream comprising an aqueous liquor comprising at least a portion of hemicelluloses and a residual biomass comprising celluloses and lignin;(c) separating at least a portion of the aqueous liquor from the residual biomass thereby providing an aqueous liquor stream and a pre-digested biomass stream;(d) contacting said pre-digested biomass stream with a cooking liquor comprising (i) about 0.5 to about 20 wt %, based on the cooking liquor, of at least one alkali selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, ammonium hydroxide, and ...

PROCESS TO PRODUCE BIOFUELS FROM BIOMASS

A method to produce biofuels from biomass is provide by contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass, separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates; contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of the untreated aqueous liquor feed, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream, then contacting the treated carbohydrate stream with an aqueous phase reforming catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates; and processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel. 1. A method comprising:(i) providing a biomass containing celluloses, hemicelluloses and lignin;(ii) contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass comprising celluloses, hemicelluloses, soluble carbohydrates and lignin;(iii) separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates and an extracted biomass solids stream comprising celluloses, hemicelluloses, and lignin;(iv) contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of the untreated aqueous liquor feed, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream;(v) contacting the treated carbohydrate stream with an aqueous phase reforming catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates; and(vi) processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel.2. The method of wherein a first portion of the oxygenated ...

PROCESS TO PRODUCE BIOFUELS FROM BIOMASS

A method to produce biofuels from biomass is provide by contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass, separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates; contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of the untreated aqueous liquor feed, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream, then contacting the treated carbohydrate stream directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates; and processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel. 1. A method comprising:(i) providing a biomass containing celluloses, hemicelluloses and lignin;(ii) contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass comprising celluloses, hemicelluloses, soluble carbohydrates and lignin;(iii) separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates and an extracted biomass solids stream comprising celluloses, hemicelluloses, and lignin;(iv) contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of the untreated aqueous liquor feed, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream;(v) contacting the treated carbohydrate stream directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates; and(vi) processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel.2. The method ...

PROCESS TO PRODUCE BIOFUELS FROM BIOMASS

Biomass is contacted with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass. An aqueous liquor separated from the extracted biomass is treated with a purification substrate to form a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream, prior to contact with an aqueous phase reforming catalyst to form oxygenated intermediates that can be further processed to form a liquid fuel. An extracted biomass solids stream is also separated from the extracted biomass which is contacted with a first digestive solvent and then a second digestive solvent to form a solubilized pulp. This solublilized pulp may be combined with the aqueous liquor stream or combined to an aqueous reforming reaction system or recycled to the aqueous media to be processed further for an effective process to produce the liquid fuel. 1. A method comprising:(i) providing a biomass containing celluloses, hemicelluloses and lignin;(ii) contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass comprising celluloses, hemicelluloses, soluble carbohydrates and lignin;(iii) separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates and a pretreated biomass solids stream comprising celluloses, hemicelluloses, and lignin;(iv) contacting said extracted biomass solids stream with a first digestive solvent to form a pretreated biomass comprising celluloses, residual hemicelluloses and lignin;(v) contacting said pretreated biomass with a second digestive solvent to form a solubilized pulp comprising soluble carbohydrates;(vi) contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content based on the untreated ...

SYSTEMS CAPABLE OF ADDING CELLULOSIC BIOMASS TO A DIGESTION UNIT OPERATING AT HIGH PRESSURES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS FOR CELLULOSIC BIOMASS PROCESSING

When processing cellulosic biomass, it may be desirable for a digestion unit to operate without being fully depressurized for process efficiency purposes. Methods for processing cellulosic biomass may comprise providing a biomass conversion system comprising a pressurization zone and a digestion unit that are operatively connected to one another; providing cellulosic biomass at a first pressure; introducing at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass into the pressurization zone and pressurizing the pressurization zone to a second pressure higher than the first pressure; after pressurizing the pressurization zone, transferring at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass from the pressurization zone to the digestion unit, which is at a third pressure that is less than or equal to the second pressure but higher than the first pressure; and digesting at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass in the digestion unit to produce a hydrolysate comprising soluble carbohydrates. 1. A method comprising:providing a biomass conversion system comprising a pressurization zone and a digestion unit that are operatively connected to one another;providing a cellulosic biomass at a first pressure;introducing at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass into the pressurization zone and then pressurizing the pressurization zone to a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure;after pressurizing the pressurization zone, transferring at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass from the pressurization zone to the digestion unit, which is at a third pressure that is less than or equal to the second pressure but higher than the first pressure; anddigesting at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass in the digestion unit to produce a hydrolysate comprising soluble carbohydrates within a liquor phase.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing a cellulosic biomass and introducing at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass take place at the same time.3. The method of claim 1 ...

DIRECT AQUEOUS PHASE REFORMING OF BIO-BASED FEEDSTOCKS

A method comprises providing a bio-based feedstock; contacting the bio-based feedstock with a solvent in a hydrolysis reaction to form an intermediate stream comprising carbohydrates; contacting the intermediate stream with an apr catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates, wherein a first portion of the oxygenated intermediates are recycled to form the solvent; and processing at least a second portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a fuel blend. 123.-. (canceled)24. A method comprising:providing a biomass solid;contacting the biomass solid with a solvent and APR catalyst in the presence of hydrogen in a reactor to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates thereby providing an oxygenated intermediate stream, wherein a first portion of the oxygenated intermediates are recycled to form the solvent; andprocessing at least a second portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a fuel blend.25. The method of wherein the biomass is wood materials.26. The method of wherein the biomass is agricultural wastes.27. The method of wherein the biomass is energy crops.28. The method of wherein the contacting is carried out at a temperature in the range of 80° C. to 300° C.29. The method of wherein the contacting is carried out at a pressure in the range of 60 KPa to 16500 KPa.30. The method of wherein the lignin is removed from the oxygenated intermediate stream.31. The method of wherein the processing of at least a second portion of the oxygenated intermediates comprises contacting at least the second portion of the oxygenated intermediates with a hydrogenation catalyst to form the fuel blend.32. The method of wherein the processing of at least a second portion of the oxygenated intermediates comprises contacting at least the second portion of the oxygenated intermediates with a condensation catalyst to form the fuel blend.33. The method of wherein the processing of at least a second portion of the oxygenated intermediates comprises contacting at least ...

PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DIGESTED BIOMASS USEFUL FOR CHEMICALS AND BIOFUELS

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. 1. A process for producing a digested biomass stream comprising:(a) providing a biomass containing celluloses, hemicelluloses and lignin;(b) producing a pretreated stream by contacting the biomass with a solution containing at least one α-hydroxysulfonic acid at a temperature of about 150° C. or less, wherein the pretreated stream comprises a solution comprising at least a portion of hemicelluloses and a residual biomass comprising celluloses and lignin;(c) providing a solution stream and a pretreated biomass stream by separating at least a portion of the solution from the residual biomass;(d) providing a digested biomass stream and a chemical liquor stream by contacting the pretreated biomass stream with a cooking liquor comprising (i) about 0.5 wt % to about 20 wt %, based on the cooking liquor, (ii) at least one alkali selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, ammonium hydroxide, and any combination thereof, (iii) ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING LIGNIN THROUGH VISCOSITY REDUCTION DURING HYDROTHERMAL DIGESTION OF CELLULOSIC BIOMASS SOLIDS

Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by lignin release therefrom, which can produce a highly viscous phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer. Systems for processing a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer may comprise: a hydrothermal digestion unit; a viscosity measurement device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit; a temperature control device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit; and a processing device communicatively coupled to the viscosity measurement device and the temperature control device, the processing device being configured to actuate the temperature control device if the viscosity of a fluid phase comprising lignin exceeds a threshold value in the biomass conversion system. 1. A biomass conversion system comprising:a hydrothermal digestion unit;a viscosity measurement device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit;a temperature control device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit; anda processing device communicatively coupled to the viscosity measurement device and the temperature control device, the processing device being configured to actuate the temperature control device if the viscosity of a fluid phase comprising lignin exceeds a threshold value in the biomass conversion system.2. The biomass conversion system of claim 1 , wherein the viscosity measurement device is located within the hydrothermal digestion unit and the temperature control device is configured to heat the hydrothermal digestion unit.3. The biomass conversion system of claim 1 , wherein the viscosity measurement device is configured to measure the viscosity of the fluid phase after it has been removed from the hydrothermal digestion unit.4. The biomass conversion system of claim 3 , ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING LIGNIN DURING HYDROTHERMAL DIGESTION OF CELLULOSIC BIOMASS SOLIDS

Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by lignin release therefrom, which can produce a highly viscous phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids in the presence of a digestion solvent, molecular hydrogen, and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen; at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase; wherein at least a portion of the slurry catalyst accumulates in the phenolics liquid phase as it forms; and reducing the viscosity of the phenolics liquid phase. 1. A method comprising:providing cellulosic biomass solids in the presence of a digestion solvent, molecular hydrogen, and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen; 'wherein at least a portion of the slurry catalyst accumulates in the phenolics liquid phase as it forms; and', 'at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase;'}reducing the viscosity of the phenolics liquid phase.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:measuring the viscosity of the phenolics liquid phase.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein reducing the viscosity and measuring the viscosity take place at the same time.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alcoholic component is formed by a catalytic reduction reaction of soluble carbohydrates claim 1 , the soluble carbohydrates being derived from the cellulosic biomass solids.5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the alcoholic component comprises a monohydric alcohol claim 4 , a glycol claim 4 , a triol claim 4 , or any combination thereof.6. The method of ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING HYDROGEN TO A HYDROCATALYTIC REACTION

A bottom fraction of a product of a hydrocatalytic reaction is gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions. In one embodiment, one or more volatile organic compounds is also vaporized using heat generated in the gasification process. In one embodiment, an overhead fraction of the hydrocatalytic reaction is further processed to generate higher molecular weight compounds. In another embodiment, a product of the further processing is separated into a bottom fraction and an overhead fraction, where the bottom fraction is also gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions. 1. A method comprising:(a) providing a biomass feedstock containing cellulose and water;(b) contacting the biomass feedstock with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen to form a hydrocatalytically treated mixture;(c) separating the hydrocatalytically treated mixture into at least a first bottom fraction and a first overhead fraction, wherein the first bottom fraction comprises (i) at least one compound having a separation point having a temperature in a range of about 100 to 600 degrees C. and a pressure of about atmospheric pressure, and (ii) one or more volatile organic compounds;(d) vaporizing at least one volatile organic compound from the first bottom fraction in a first flasher;(e) depositing the at least one compound having a separation point having a temperature in a range of about 100 to 600 degrees C. and a pressure of about atmospheric pressure on a surface in the first flasher;(f) placing the first flasher in standby mode;(g) vaporizing at least one volatile organic compound from the first bottom fraction in a second flasher;(h) partially oxidizing the deposited at least one compound in the first flasher to generate a gas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide;(i) providing the gas mixture to a water gas shift reaction zone external to where the biomass feedstock is contacted with ...

PROCESS TO PRODUCE BIOFUELS FROM BIOMASS

A process for producing biofuels from biomass is provided by removing sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds from the biomass by contacting the biomass with a digestive solvent to form a pretreated biomass containing soluble carbohydrates and having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content, based on untreated biomass on a dry mass basis, prior to carrying out aqueous phase reforming and further processing to form a liquid fuel. 1. A system comprising: a digester that receives a biomass feedstock and a digestive solvent operating under conditions to effectively remove nitrogen compounds and sulfur compounds from said biomass feedstock and discharges a treated stream comprising a carbohydrate having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content based on untreated biomass feedstock on a dry mass basis; an aqueous phase reforming reactor comprising an aqueous phase reforming catalyst that receives the treated stream and discharges an oxygenated intermediate stream , wherein a first portion of the oxygenated intermediate stream is recycled to the digester as at least a portion of the digestive solvent; and a fuels processing reactor comprising a condensation catalyst that receives a second portion of the oxygenated intermediate stream and discharges a liquid fuel.2. A system comprising: a digester that receives a biomass feedstock and a digestive solvent operating under conditions to effectively remove nitrogen , phosphorus and sulfur compounds from said biomass feedstock and discharges a treated stream comprising a carbohydrate having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content based on untreated biomass feedstock on a dry mass basis; an aqueous phase reforming reactor comprising an aqueous phase reforming catalyst that receives the treated stream and discharges an oxygenated intermediate , wherein a first portion of the oxygenated intermediate stream is recycled to ...

BIOFUELS VIA HYDROGENOLYSIS-CONDENSATION

A method comprises providing a carbohydrate; reacting the carbohydrate with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to produce reaction products comprising an alcohol, a polyol, and a higher polyol; recycling the higher polyol through the hydrogenolysis reaction to produce reaction products comprising an alcohol and a polyol and a higher polyol; processing at least a portion of the reaction products to form a fuel blend. 1. A method comprising:providing a carbohydrate;reacting the carbohydrate with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to produce reaction products comprising an alcohol, a polyol, and a higher polyol;recycling the higher polyol through the hydrogenolysis reaction to produce reaction products comprising an alcohol and a polyol and a higher polyol;processing at least a portion of the reaction products to form a fuel blend.2. The method of wherein the carbohydrate is reacted directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst prior to hydrogenolysis.3. The method of wherein the hydrogenolysis catalyst and hydrogenation catalyst are the same catalyst.4. The method of wherein the hydrogenolysis catalyst and the hydrogenation catalyst are present in the same reactor vessel.5. The method of wherein the fuel blend comprises at least one composition selected from the group consisting of: a fuel additive claim 1 , a gasoline fuel claim 1 , a diesel fuel claim 1 , and a jet fuel.6. The method of wherein the processing of at least a portion of the reaction product comprises contacting at least a portion of the reaction product with a condensation catalyst to form the fuel blend claim 1 , wherein the fuel blend comprises a gasoline fuel.7. The method of wherein the processing of at least a portion of the reaction product comprises contacting at least a portion of the reaction product with a hydrogenation catalyst.8. The method of wherein the fuel blend comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting ...

Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass

Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods and systems for processing a reaction product containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, can comprise hydrotreating the reaction product to convert the lignin-derived products to desired higher molecular weight compounds. The methods and systems can further include separating the higher molecular weight compounds from unconverted products, such as unconverted phenolics, and recycling the unconverted phenolics for use as at least a portion of the digestion solvent and for further conversion to desired higher molecular weight compounds with additional hydrotreatment. The methods and systems can further include a further hydrotreatment step configured for additional lignin conversion and/or a further hydrotreatment step configured for generating hydrogen.

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING CELLULOSIC BIOMASS

Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods and systems for processing a reaction product containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, can comprise hydrotreating the reaction product to convert the lignin-derived products to desired higher molecular weight compounds. The methods can further include separating the higher molecular weight compounds from unconverted products, such as unconverted phenolics, and recycling the unconverted phenolics for use as at least a portion of the digestion solvent and for further conversion to desired higher molecular weight compounds with additional hydrotreatment. 1. A method for processing cellulosic biomass solids comprising:providing a first reaction content to a reactor in a first reaction zone, where the first reaction content comprises cellulosic biomass solids, molecular hydrogen, a hydrogen-activating catalyst, and a digestion solvent;heating the first reaction content to form a first reaction product comprising phenolics and an alcoholic component;providing a second reaction content to a reactor in a second reaction zone, where the second reaction content comprises the first reaction product, molecular hydrogen, and a hydrogen-activating catalyst;heating the second reaction content to form a second reaction product comprising hydrocarbons converted from phenolics and unconverted phenolics;separating an unconverted phenolics fraction from the second reaction product;providing a first portion of the unconverted phenolics fraction to the reactor in the first reaction zone; andproviding a second portion of the unconverted phenolics fraction to the reactor in the second reaction zone.2. The method of wherein the second reaction content has a concentration of phenolics of 50% or less by weight based on the total weight of the second reaction content.3. The method of wherein the second reaction content has a water concentration of at least 10% by weight based on the ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING CELLULOSIC BIOMASS

Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods and systems for processing a reaction product containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, can comprise hydrotreating the reaction product to convert the lignin-derived products to desired higher molecular weight compounds. The methods can further include separating the higher molecular weight compounds from unconverted products, such as unconverted phenolics, and recycling the unconverted phenolics for use as at least a portion of the digestion solvent and for further conversion to desired higher molecular weight compounds with additional hydrotreatment. The methods and systems can further include generating hydrogen with the further hydrotreatment. 1. A method comprising:providing a first reaction content to a reactor in a first reaction zone, where the first reaction content comprises cellulosic biomass solids, molecular hydrogen, a catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, and a digestion solvent;heating the first reaction content to form a first reaction product comprising phenolics and an alcoholic component;providing a second reaction content to a reactor in a second reaction zone, where the second reaction content comprises the first reaction product, molecular hydrogen, and a catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen;heating the second reaction content to form a second reaction product comprising hydrocarbons converted from phenolics and unconverted phenolics,providing the reactor in the second reaction zone with conditions configured to generate molecular hydrogen, wherein at least one of said conditions comprises providing the reactor in the second reaction zone with a pressure of less than 200 bar;separating an unconverted phenolics fraction from the second reaction product;providing a first portion of the unconverted phenolics fraction to the reactor in the first reaction zone; andproviding a second portion of the unconverted ...

SYSTEMS CAPABLE OF ADDING CELLULOSIC BIOMASS TO A DIGESTION UNIT OPERATING AT HIGH PRESSURES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS FORCELLULOSIC BIOMASS PROCESSING

When processing cellulosic biomass, it may be desirable for a digestion unit to operate without being fully depressurized for process efficiency purposes. Methods for processing cellulosic biomass may comprise providing a biomass conversion system comprising a pressurization zone and a digestion unit that are operatively connected to one another; providing cellulosic biomass at a first pressure; introducing at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass into the pressurization zone and pressurizing the pressurization zone to a second pressure higher than the first pressure; after pressurizing the pressurization zone, transferring at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass from the pressurization zone to the digestion unit, which is at a third pressure that is less than or equal to the second pressure but higher than the first pressure; and digesting at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass in the digestion unit to produce a hydrolysate comprising soluble carbohydrates. 1. A biomass conversion system comprising:a loading mechanism, a pressurization zone, and a digestion unit that are operatively connected to one another in sequential series;a fluid circulation loop establishing fluid communication between an inlet and an outlet of the digestion unit; and 'wherein the pressurization zone and the digestion unit are operatively connected to one another in a manner such that at least a portion of a cellulosic biomass in the pressurization zone can be transferred to the digestion unit while the digestion unit is operating at a pressure of at least about 30 bar.', 'a fluid transport line establishing fluid communication between the fluid circulation loop and the pressurization zone;'}2. The biomass conversion system of claim 1 , further comprising:a surge vessel located within the fluid circulation loop and in fluid communication with an outlet of the digestion unit.3. The biomass conversion system of claim 1 , further comprising:at least one catalytic reduction ...

LIGNIN-BASED SOLVENTS AND METHODS FOR THEIR PREPARATION

Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a process for converting biomass into furfural. The process may include subjecting a pentosan-containing biomass material to an acid catalyzed digestion process in a digestion vessel to produce a digested product stream comprising C5-carbohydrates and solids comprising cellulose. The digested product stream may be separated into a liquid product stream and a solid product stream comprising lignin and cellulose. The solids product stream may be contacted with water and an organic solvent, thereby converting at least part of the lignin to a phenolic solvent. The C5-carbohydrate in the liquid product stream may be subjected to a dehydration reaction in the presence of an acid catalyst and a biphasic mixture comprising an aqueous phase and a water-immiscible organic phase, wherein the water-immiscible organic phase includes at least a portion of the phenolic solvent, to produce furfural or a furan derivative. 1. A process for converting biomass into furfural , the process comprising the steps of:(a) providing a pentosan-containing biomass material;(b) subjecting the pentosan-containing biomass material to an acid catalyzed digestion process in a digestion vessel at a temperature greater than about 100° C. for a period of time sufficient to produce a digested product stream comprising C5-carbohydrates and solids comprising cellulose; (i) the liquid product stream comprises carbohydrate compounds, of which at least 50 wt % of the carbohydrate compounds are C5-carbohydrate compounds, based on the weight of carbohydrate compounds in the liquid product stream,', '(ii) the solid product stream comprises solids comprising lignin and cellulose;, '(c) separating the digested product stream into a liquid product stream and a solid product stream wherein(d) contacting the solid product stream with an organic solvent, thereby converting at least part of the lignin to a phenolic solvent, to produce solids and a solvent product ...

CONTINUOUS OR SEMI-CONTINUOUS BIOMASS WASH SYSTEM FOR HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

A selective removal of metal and its anion species that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed in a continuous or semi-continuous manner prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided. 2. The process of further comprising a processing device communicatively coupled to the solvent or water detection device and the solvent flow device claim 1 , the processing device being configured to actuate the solvent flow device if the solvent concentration exceeds a threshold value at the detection device location.3. The process of wherein a solvent detection device is located or in fluid communication within lower 20% of L2 and above the one or more third fluid conduits claim 1 , and the predetermined solvent concentration level is less than 25% of the measured fluid.4. The process of wherein a solvent detection device is located or in fluid communication within the lower 10% of its height within L2 and the predetermined solvent level is less than 25% of the measured fluid.5. The process of wherein a solvent detection device is located or in fluid communication within L3.6. The process of wherein a water detection device is located or in fluid communication within L3.7. The process of wherein the aqueous solution introduction is controlled by an aqueous flow device.8. The process of wherein a liquid velocity in the vessel is maintained in the range of about 1 to 50 m/h.9. The process of wherein the length of L1 is at least 1 meter.10. The process of wherein the length of L2 is at least about 2 meters.11. The process of wherein more than one solvent and/or water detection device are within the vessel or in flow communication with the vessel located within L3 and/or L2.12. The process of wherein more than one solvent and/or water ...

CONTINUOUS OR SEMI-CONTINUOUS BIOMASS WASH SYSTEM FOR HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

A selective removal of metal and its anion species that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed in a continuous or semi-continuous manner prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided. 2. The process of further comprising a processing device communicatively coupled to the solvent or water detection device and the solvent flow device claim 1 , the processing device being configured to actuate the solvent flow device if the solvent concentration exceeds a threshold value at the detection device location.31. The process of wherein a solvent detection device is located or in fluid communication within lower 20% of L and above the one or more first fluid conduits claim 1 , and the predetermined solvent concentration level is less than 25% of the measured fluid.41. The process of wherein a solvent detection device is located or in fluid communication within the lower 10% of its height within L and the predetermined solvent level is less than 25% of the measured fluid.52. The process of wherein a solvent detection device is located or in fluid communication within L.62. The process of wherein a water detection device is located or in fluid communication within L.7. The process of wherein the aqueous solution introduction is controlled by an aqueous flow device.8. The process of wherein a liquid velocity in the vessel is maintained in the range of less than about 100 m/h claim 1 , but greater than about 1 m/h.91. The process of wherein the length of L is at least about 1 meter.1012. The process of wherein more than one solvent and/or water detection device are within the vessel or in flow communication with the vessel located within L and/or L.11. The process of wherein the aqueous solution is provided at least in part from ...

CONTINUOUS OR SEMI-CONTINUOUS BIOMASS WASH SYSTEM HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

A selective removal of metal and its anion species that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed in a continuous or semi-continuous manner prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided. 1. A process for continuously or semi-continuously washing biomass to selectively remove at least a portion of detrimental metals and their anions (“detrimental species”) from a detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids for further processing in a hydrothermal digestion unit comprising:a. continuously or semi-continuously providing a detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids into a generally cylindrical vessel comprising a chamber having a height that is greater than its width, the height comprised of height from top to bottom L0, L1 , L2, L3, L4 and L5; the chamber having an opening suitable for solids introduction located within L0, one or more first fluid conduits connected to the chamber within the lower 20% of its height within L1, one or more second fluid conduits connected to the chamber within the upper 20% of its height within L1, said cellulosic biomass solids flow in only one direction within the chamber and countercurrent flow relative to the direction of fluid flow within the chamber, one or more third fluid conduits connected to the chamber within the lower 20% of its height within L2, one or more fourth fluid conduits connected to the chamber within the lower 20% of its height within L3, one or more fifth fluid conduits connected to the chamber within the lower 20% of its height within L4, one or more sixth fluid conduits connected to the chamber within the lower 20% of its height within L5, the chamber having an opening suitable for biomass extraction located within the lower 20% of its ...

BIOMASS TREATMENT FOR HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

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. 1. A method for selective removal of at least a portion of detrimental metals and their anions from a detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids comprising:a. providing a detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids;b. introducing said detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids into a dilute acidic solution having a pH of at most 4 at a temperature in the range of 0° C. to 60° C., in a first contact zone, thereby producing an acid washed cellulosic biomass solids and acidic water effluent wherein said acidic water effluent is in the range of about 3 parts to about 0.5 parts relative to about 1 part of detrimental species—containing cellulosic biomass solids (dry basis);c. introducing said acid washed cellulosic biomass solids into an aqueous solution having a pH of at least 5, in a second contact zone, thereby producing water washed cellulosic biomass solids having at least partially reduced species content compared to the detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids;d. passing a gas and/or an organic solvent through said water washed cellulosic biomass solids, in a third contact zone, thereby producing a pretreated cellulosic biomass solids with reduced water content compared to the water washed cellulosic biomass solids and separated aqueous effluent;e. recycling the separated aqueous effluent to the second contact zone to form at least a portion of the aqueous solution; andf. transferring at least a portion of said treated cellulosic biomass solids to a digestion and/or reaction zone.2. The method of wherein the ...

BIOMASS TREATMENT FOR HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

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. 1. A method for selective removal of a detrimental metals and their anion species from a cellulosic biomass solids comprising:a. providing a detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids;b. introducing said detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids from an inlet into a treatment vessel, said cellulosic biomass solids having a true interstitial volume in said vessel;c. introducing an acidic solution having a pH of at most 4 from an inlet to said cellulosic biomass solids containing vessel at a temperature in the range of 0° C. to 60° C. in an amount to fill at least about 5% bed volume to at most about 40% bed volume of said true interstitial volume;d. subsequently to step c, introducing an aqueous solution having a pH of at least 5 from an inlet to said acidic cellulosic biomass solids-containing vessel, thereby producing washed cellulosic biomass solids having reduced detrimental species content compared to the detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids and an acidic water effluent, wherein said acidic water effluent is in the range of about 3 parts to about 0.5 parts relative to about 1 part of detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids (dry basis);e. introducing a removal stream comprising a gas stream or an organic solvent solution from an inlet to the vessel containing the washed cellulosic biomass solids thereby producing a pretreated cellulosic biomass solids with reduced water content compared to the water washed cellulosic biomass solids and an aqueous effluent;f. discharging the pretreated cellulosic ...

Biomass treatment for hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion

A selective removal 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.

BIOMASS TREATMENT FOR HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

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. 1. A method for selective removal of chlorine and phosphorus from a cellulosic biomass solids comprising:a. providing a cellulosic biomass solids containing chorine and/or phosphorus;b. introducing said cellulosic biomass solids into a base solution having a pH of greater than 9 at a temperature in the range of 0° C. to 60° C., in a first contact zone, thereby producing an base washed cellulosic biomass solids and basic water effluent wherein said basic water effluent is in the range of about 3 parts to about 0.5 parts relative to about 1 part of cellulosic biomass solids (dry basis);c. introducing said base washed cellulosic biomass solids into an aqueous solution having a pH of at most 8, in a second contact zone, thereby producing water washed cellulosic biomass solids having reduced chorine and/or phosphorus content compared to the cellulosic biomass solids;d. passing a gas and/or an organic solvent through said water washed cellulosic biomass solids, in a third contact zone, thereby producing a pretreated cellulosic biomass solids with reduced water content compared to the water washed cellulosic biomass solids and separated aqueous effluent;e. recycling the separated aqueous effluent to the second contact zone to form at least a portion of the aqueous solution; andf. transferring at least a portion of said treated cellulosic biomass solids to a digestion and/or reaction zone.2. The method of wherein the base solution comprises a base selected from potassium hydroxide claim 1 , sodium hydroxide or ammonia.3. The method of wherein the base solution comprises a base ...

Biomass treatment for hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion

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.

BIOMASS TREATMENT FOR HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

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. 1. A method for selective removal of at least a portion of detrimental metals and their anions from a detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids comprising:{'sup': '2', 'a. providing a first portion of cellulosic biomass solids being contacted by a first dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase and first continuous gas phase at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 60° C. in a first contact zone wherein the liquid phase comprises acid solution having a pH of at most 4 wherein the flux of the first liquid phase is at least 1 kg/(ms);'}{'sup': '2', 'b. providing said first dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase treated cellulosic biomass solids being contacted by a second dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase and second continuous gas phase at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 60° C. in a second contact zone wherein the liquid phase comprises an aqueous solution having a pH of at least 5 wherein the flux of the second liquid phase is at least 1 kg/(ms);'}c. removing the first dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase from the first contact zone as an acidic effluent;d. recovering the second dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase from the second contact zone as aqueous effluent;e. recycling at least a portion of the aqueous effluent as a portion of the liquid phase in the first contact zone;f. transferring at least a portion of said second dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase treated cellulosic biomass solids to a digestion and/or reaction zone.2. The method of wherein the first contact zone and the second ...

BIOMASS TREATMENT FOR HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

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. 1. A method for selective removal of detrimental metals and their anion species from a cellulosic biomass solids , said method comprising a plurality of vessels:a. providing each of said vessels with one of detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids;{'sup': '2', 'b. introducing a first dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase comprising an acidic solution having a pH of at most 4 from an inlet into a first vessel of said plurality of vessel wherein the cellulosic biomass solids in the first vessel is contacted by said first dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase and first continuous gas phase at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 60° C. wherein the flux of the first liquid phase is at least 1 kg/(ms);'}c. repeating step (b) for a second vessel of said plurality of vessels;{'sup': '2', 'd. introducing a second dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase comprising an aqueous solution having a pH of at least 5 from an inlet into said first vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (b) wherein said acidic solution-treated cellulosic biomass solids in the first vessel is contacted by said second dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase and second continuous gas phase wherein the flux of the second liquid phase is at least 1 kg/(ms) and discharging an acidic effluent;'}e. repeating step (d) for the second vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (c);f. transferring at least a portion of the biomass treated according to steps (d) and (e) to a digestion and/or reaction vessel;g. wherein at least 2 of ...

BIOMASS TREATMENT FOR HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

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. 1. A method for selective removal of detrimental metals and their anion species from a cellulosic biomass solids , said method comprising a plurality of vessels:a. providing each of said vessels with one of detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids;b. introducing a quantity of an acidic solution having a pH of at most 4 from an inlet into a first vessel of said plurality of vessels containing said detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 60° C.;c. repeating step (b) for a second vessel of said plurality of vessels;d. introducing a quantity of aqueous solution having a pH of at least 5 from an inlet into said first vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (b) thereby discharging the acidic water effluent;e. repeating step (d) for the second vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (c);f. introducing a quantity of gas or organic solution from an inlet into the first vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (d) and discharging the aqueous solution;g. repeating step (f) for the second vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (e);h. recycling at least a portion of the discharged aqueous solution as a portion of the acidic solution;i. transferring at least a portion of the biomass treated according to steps (f) and (g) to a digestion and/or reaction vessel;j. wherein at least 2 of the vessels are undergoing at least one of the steps (b) through (i) at the same time; andk. wherein the amount of the total ...

Biomass treatment for hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion

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

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING A REACTION PRODUCT MIXTURE OF CELLULOSIC BIOMASS MATERIAL

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. 1. A system comprising:a digestion unit adapted to digest a cellulosic biomass material to generate a digested product;a separation zone adapted to separate the digested product into at least an overhead fraction and a bottom fraction; wherein the bottom fraction comprises (i) at least one compound having a separation point having a temperature in a range of about 100 to 600 degrees C. and a pressure of about atmospheric pressure, and (ii) one or more volatile organic compounds; anda recovery unit comprising a first flasher coupled to the separation zone to receive at least a portion of the bottom fraction during operation of the first flasher;and a second flasher coupled to the separation zone to receive at least a portion of the bottom fraction during operation of the second flasher;wherein the recovery unit is configured to operate one of the first and second flashers to vaporize at least one volatile organic compound in the bottom fraction while the other flasher is in standby mode.2. The system of further comprising a further processing zone coupled to the separation zone claim 1 , the further processing zone is configured to convert at least a portion of a plurality of hydrocarbon and oxygenated hydrocarbon molecules in the overhead fraction from the separation zone to a product stream comprising a higher hydrocarbon.3. The system of wherein an outlet of the recovery unit adapted to discharge at least a portion of the overhead product is ...

BIOMASS TREATMENT FOR HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

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. 1. A method for selective removal of chlorine and phosphorus from a cellulosic biomass solids , said method comprising a plurality of vessels:a. providing each of said vessels with one of detrimental species-containing cellulosic biomass solids;{'sup': '2', 'b. introducing a first dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase comprising a base solution having a pH of greater than 9 from an inlet into a first vessel of said plurality of vessels wherein the cellulosic biomass solids in the first vessel is contacted by said first dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase and a first continuous gas phase at a at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 60° C. wherein the flux of the first liquid phase is at least 1 kg/(ms);'}c. repeating step (b) for a second vessel of said plurality of vessels;{'sup': '2', 'd. introducing a second dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase comprising an aqueous solution having a pH of at most 8 from an inlet into said first vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (b) wherein said base solution-treated cellulosic biomass solids in the first vessel is contacted by said second dispersed or semi-continuous liquid phase and second continuous gas phase wherein the flux of the second liquid phase is at least 1 kg/(ms) and discharging a basic water effluent;'}e. repeating step (d) for the second vessel of said plurality of vessels treated according to step (c);f. transferring at least a portion of the biomass treated according to steps (d) and (e) to a digestion and/or reaction vessel;g. wherein at least 2 of the vessels ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING CELLULOSIC BIOMASS

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. 1. A method comprising:heating cellulosic biomass solids, molecular hydrogen, a catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, and a digestion solvent in a reactor in a first reaction zone to produce a first reaction product;providing an extraction solvent and at least a portion of the first reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid extraction unit to recover an aqueous stream and a non-aqueous stream, wherein the aqueous stream comprises a major portion of water in said portion of the first reaction product;flashing at least a portion of the non-aqueous stream to recover an overhead fraction and a bottom fraction, wherein the overhead fraction from the flashing comprises a major portion of compounds with a normal boiling point of less than 150 degrees C. in said portion of the non-aqueous stream, and wherein the bottom fraction from flashing comprises compounds with a normal boiling point of 150 degrees C. or higher;providing a first portion of the bottom fraction from flashing to the ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING CELLULOSIC BIOMASS

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 phase separation unit. The liquid-liquid phase separation 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. 1. A method comprising:heating cellulosic biomass solids, molecular hydrogen, a catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, and a digestion solvent in a reactor in a first reaction zone to produce a first reaction product;providing at least a portion of the first reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid phase separation unit to recover an aqueous stream and a non-aqueous stream, wherein the aqueous stream comprises a major portion of water in said portion of the first reaction product; andproviding at least a portion of the non-aqueous stream to a distillation unit to recover at least an overhead fraction, a middle fraction, and a bottom fraction,providing at least a portion of the middle fraction to the reactor in the first reaction zone.2. The method of further comprising:providing the aqueous stream to an aqueous stream separation zone to recover a light compounds from at least a portion of the aqueous phase in an overhead fraction, wherein the overhead fraction ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING CELLULOSIC BIOMASS

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 or phase separation unit. The liquid-liquid extraction or phase separation 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. 1. A method comprising:heating cellulosic biomass solids, molecular hydrogen, a catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, and a digestion solvent in a reactor in a first reaction zone to form a first reaction product;subjecting the first reaction product to a base catalyzed depolymerization reaction to produce a depolymerized reaction product;providing at least a portion of the depolymerized reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid phase separation or extraction unit to recover an aqueous stream and a non-aqueous stream, wherein the aqueous stream comprises a major portion of water in said portion of the depolymerized reaction product;providing at least a portion of the non-aqueous stream to a distillation unit to recover an overhead fraction, a middle fraction, and a bottom fraction.2. The method of further comprising:providing the aqueous phase to an aqueous phase separation zone to recover a light compounds overhead fraction from at least ...

Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass

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.

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING CELLULOSIC BIOMASS

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 of a further processing (such as condensation reaction) 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. 1. A method comprising:heating cellulosic biomass solids, molecular hydrogen, a catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, and a digestion solvent in a reactor in a first reaction zone to produce a first reaction product;optionally providing at least a portion of the first reaction product to a gas separator unit to recover a vapor fraction comprising compounds with a normal boiling point of 100 degrees C. or lower before providing it to the separation zone;providing an extraction solvent and at least a portion of the first reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid extraction unit to recover an aqueous stream and a non-aqueous stream, wherein the aqueous stream comprises a major portion of water in said portion of the first reaction product;providing the aqueous stream to an aqueous stream separation zone to recover light compounds from at least a portion of the aqueous phase in an overhead fraction, wherein the overhead fraction comprises a major ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING CELLULOSIC BIOMASS

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 of a further processing (such as condensation reaction) to a non-aqueous stream to at least part precipitate the lignin and removing the precipitated lignin. 1. A method comprising:heating cellulosic biomass solids, molecular hydrogen, a catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, and a digestion solvent in a reactor in a first reaction zone to produce a first reaction product;optionally providing at least a portion of the first reaction product to a gas separator unit to recover a vapor fraction comprising compounds with a normal boiling point of 100 degrees C. or lower before providing it to the separation zone;providing at least a portion of the first reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid phase separation unit or a liquid-liquid extraction unit to recover an aqueous stream and a non-aqueous stream, wherein the aqueous stream comprises a major portion of water in said portion of the first reaction product;providing the aqueous stream to an aqueous stream separation zone to recover light compounds from at least a portion of the aqueous phase in an overhead fraction, wherein the overhead fraction comprises a major portion of compounds with a normal boiling point of less than 150 degrees C. in said portion of the aqueous stream;providing to a further processing zone at least one of a portion of the vapor fraction, at least a portion of the aqueous phase overhead fraction, and/or at least a portion of the distillate overhead fraction to provide a higher hydrocarbon product;providing at least a portion of the higher hydrocarbon product to the non-aqueous stream to precipitate at least a portion of ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING CELLULOSIC BIOMASS

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. 1. A method comprising:(a) heating cellulosic biomass solids, molecular hydrogen, a catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, and a digestion solvent in a reactor in a first reaction zone to produce a first reaction product;(b) providing a first extraction solvent and at least a portion of the first reaction product to a first liquid-liquid extraction unit in a separation zone to recover a first aqueous stream and a first non-aqueous stream, wherein the first aqueous stream comprises a major portion of water in said portion of the first reaction product;(c) providing the first aqueous stream and a second extraction solvent to a second liquid-liquid extraction unit in the separation zone to recover a second aqueous stream and a second non-aqueous stream;(d) optionally providing at least a portion of the first reaction product to a gas separator unit to recover a vapor fraction comprising compounds with a normal boiling point of 100 degrees C. or lower before providing the first reaction product to the ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING CELLULOSIC BIOMASS

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, and organic salts, comprise providing acid solution to the organic salt containing process stream to convert the organic acid salts to acids to for further processing. 1. A method comprising:heating cellulosic biomass solids, molecular hydrogen, a catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, and a digestion solvent in a reactor in a first reaction zone to produce a first reaction product;providing an acid solution to the first reaction product to produce an acidified first reaction product;providing at least a portion of the acidified first reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid phase separation unit or a liquid-liquid extraction unit to recover an aqueous stream and a non-aqueous stream, wherein the aqueous stream comprises a major portion of water in said portion of the first reaction product;providing the aqueous stream to an aqueous stream separation zone to recover a light compounds from at least a portion of the aqueous phase in an overhead fraction, wherein the overhead fraction comprises a major portion of compounds with a normal boiling point of less than 150 degrees C. in said portion of the aqueous stream; andproviding at least a portion of the non-aqueous stream to a distillation unit to obtain at least an overhead fraction, a middle fraction, and a bottom fraction.2. The method of further comprising:providing at least one of the first reaction product and the second reaction product to a gas separator unit to recover a vapor fraction comprising compounds with a normal boiling point of 100 degrees C. or lower prior to providing the acid solution.3. The method of further comprising:providing at least one of the acidified first ...

PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF FURFURAL

Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural. The process includes 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 in a first liquid-liquid separator providing a first organic phase and a first aqueous phase; conveying the first organic phase along a first line to a distillation column and subjecting the first organic phase to a distillation step providing a top stream comprising furfural and a bottom stream comprising the aromatic solvent; subjecting the first aqueous phase and a portion of the bottom stream to a second separation step providing a second organic phase; conveying the second organic phase along a second line which either feeds its contents into the first line or into the distillation column and subjecting the resultant mixture to said distillation step. 11. A process for the extraction of furfural from a composition () comprising furfural , water , at least one acid , and an aromatic solvent with a boiling point higher than that of furfural , said process comprising:{'b': 1', '6, 'claim-text': [{'b': '7', 'a first organic phase () comprising the aromatic solvent and a portion of the furfural, and'}, {'b': '8', 'a first aqueous phase () comprising the remainder of the furfural and the at least one acid;'}], '(a) subjecting the composition () to a first liquid-liquid separation step in a first liquid-liquid separator () to provide{'b': 7', '12', '9', '7, 'claim-text': [{'b': '2', 'a top stream () comprising furfural, and'}, {'b': '3', 'a bottom stream () comprising the aromatic solvent;'}], '(b) conveying the first organic phase () from step (a) along a first line () to a distillation column () and subjecting the first organic phase () to a distillation step to provide{'b': 8', '4', '10', '8', '4, 'claim-text': {'b': 11', '5, 'a second organic phase () comprising the aromatic solvent and a portion of the furfural, and ...

PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF FURFURAL

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. 1. A process for the extraction of furfural from a composition comprising furfural , water , at least one acid and an aromatic solvent with a boiling point higher than that of furfural; said process comprising: an organic phase comprising the aromatic solvent and a portion of the furfural, and', 'an aqueous phase comprising the remainder of the furfural and the at least one acid;, '(a) subjecting the composition to a first liquid-liquid separation step to provide a first top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope, and', 'an aqueous waste stream comprising water and the at least one acid;, '(b) subjecting the aqueous phase of step (a) to a first distillation step to provide a second top stream comprising a portion of the furfural-water azeotrope, and', 'a second bottom stream comprising the remainder of the furfural-water azeotrope;, '(c) subjecting the first top stream of step (b) to a second liquid-liquid separation step to provide a third top stream enriched with the furfural-water azeotropic mixture, and', 'a third bottom stream comprising furfural;, '(d) ...

PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF FURFURAL

A process for the extraction of furfural from a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one organic acid and an oxygenate solvent with a boiling point higher than that of furfural. The process includes: (a) subjecting the composition to a first liquid-liquid separation step to provide: (i) an organic phase; (b) subjecting the organic phase of step (a) to a first distillation step to provide: (i) a first top stream; (c) subjecting the first top stream of step (b) to a second liquid-liquid separation step to provide: (i) a second top stream; and (d) subjecting the second top stream of step (c) to a second distillation step to provide: (i) a third top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope, and (ii) a third bottom stream comprising furfural. 1. A process for the extraction of furfural from a composition comprising furfural , water , at least one organic acid and an oxygenate solvent with a boiling point higher than that of furfural , said process comprising: an organic phase comprising the oxygenate solvent, furfural, and a portion of the at least one organic acid; and', 'an aqueous phase comprising the remainder of the at least one organic acid;, '(a) subjecting the composition to a first liquid-liquid separation step to provide a first top stream comprising furfural, and a portion of at least one organic acid; and', 'a first bottom stream comprising the oxygenate solvent;, '(b) subjecting the organic phase of step (a) to a first distillation step to provide a second top stream comprising a portion of the furfural and a portion of at least one organic acid; and', 'a second bottom stream comprising a portion of the furfural and a portion of the at least one organic acid; and, '(c) subjecting the first top stream of step (b) to a second liquid-liquid separation step to provide a third top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope; and', 'a third bottom stream comprising furfural., '(d) subjecting the second top stream of step (c) to a second ...

PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF FURFURAL

Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural including: (a) subjecting a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one inorganic acid, at least one organic acid and a solvent mixture comprising an aromatic solvent and an oxygenate solvent, to a first separation step providing: (i) a first organic phase; (b) subjecting the first organic phase to a first distillation step providing: (i) a first top stream comprising furfural and a portion of the at least one organic acid; (c) subjecting the first top stream from step (b) to a second separation step providing: (i) a second top stream enriched with furfural; (d) subjecting the second top stream from step (c) to a second distillation step providing: (i) a third top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope, and (ii) a third bottom stream comprising furfural. 1. A process for the extraction of furfural from a composition comprising furfural , water , at least one organic acid and a solvent mixture comprising an aromatic solvent and an oxygenate solvent wherein each of the solvents in the solvent mixture has a boiling point higher than of furfural , said process comprising:(a) subjecting the composition to a first liquid-liquid separation step to provide a first organic phase comprising the solvent mixture, a portion of the furfural and a portion of the at least one organic acid, and a first aqueous phase comprising the remainder of the furfural, and the remainder of the at least one organic acid;(b) subjecting the first organic phase to a first distillation step to provide a first top stream comprising furfural and a portion of the at least one organic acid, and a first bottom stream comprising the solvent mixture;(c) subjecting the first top stream from step (b) to a second liquid-liquid separation step to provide a second top stream enriched with furfural and a portion of the at least one organic acid, and a second bottom stream comprising the remainder of the furfural and a portion of the at least ...

Process for the production of alcohols from biomass

Alcohols useful as fuel compositions are produced from biomass by: contacting the biomass with a cooking liquor containing (i) 1 to 20 wt %, based on the cooking liquor, of sodium hydroxide, (ii) optionally, 0 to 20 wt %, based on the cooking liquor, of sodium sulfide; (iii) optionally, 0 to 3%, based on the cooking liquor, of anthraquinone, sodium borate and/or polysulfides; and (iv) water, wherein such cooking liquor has an active alkali of between 5 to 25%, and a sodium carbonate concentration of less than 3.5 wt% based on cooking liquor, at a cooling liquor to biomass ratio within the range of 2 to 6, at a temperature within the range of 100 0 C to 230 0 C with a residence time within 0.25 h to 4h under conditions effective to provide a pulp stream containing pulp having a lignin content of 5% to 20% by weight, based on the pulp, and a chemical liquor stream containing sodium compounds; washing the pulp stream with a water stream producing washed pulp stream; hydrolyzing the washed pulp stream by treating the streams with an enzyme solution comprising cellulases and optionally xylanases at a pH within the range of 3 to 7 at a temperature within the range of 30 0 C to 90 0 C to produce a hydrolyzate containing from 4% to 30% by weight of fermentable sugar; fermenting the hydrolyzate in the presence of a microorganism at a temperature with the range of 25 0 C to 55 0 C at a pH within the range of 4 to 6 thereby producing an alcohol stream containing at least one alcohol having 2 to 18 carbon atoms.

Process for the production of alcohols from biomass

Alcohols useful as fuel compositions are produced from biomass by pretreating the biomass prior to hydrolysis and fermentation. In the pretreatment, the biomass is contacted with an aqueous solution containing a dilute acid with concentration of up to 10wt% producing a predigested stream containing an aqueous liquor that contains at least a portion of hemicelluloses and a residual biomass that contains celluloses and lignin; separating at least a portion of the aqueous liquor from the residual biomass providing an aqueous liquor stream and a pre-digested biomass stream; then contacting the pre-digested 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.

Process for preparing furfural from biomass

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 an acid, 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 that can be optionally recycled to the hydrolysis step.

Lignin-based solvents and methods for their preparation

Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a process for converting biomass into furfural. The process may include subjecting a pentosan-containing biomass material to an acid catalyzed digestion process in a digestion vessel to produce a digested product stream comprising C5-carbohydrates and solids comprising cellulose. The digested product stream may be separated into a liquid product stream and a solid product stream comprising lignin and cellulose. The solids product stream may be contacted with water and an organic solvent, thereby converting at least part of the lignin to a phenolic solvent. The C5-carbohydrate in the liquid product stream may be subjected to a dehydration reaction in the presence of an acid catalyst and a biphasic mixture comprising an aqueous phase and a water-immiscible organic phase, wherein the water-immiscible organic phase includes at least a portion of the phenolic solvent, to produce furfural or a furan derivative.

Process for the recovery of furfural

Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural including: (a) subjecting a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one inorganic acid, at least one organic acid and a solvent mixture comprising an aromatic solvent and an oxygenate solvent, to a first separation step providing: (i) a first organic phase; (b) subjecting the first organic phase to a first distillation step providing: (i) a first top stream comprising furfural and a portion of the at least one organic acid; (c) subjecting the first top stream from step (b) to a second separation step providing: (i) a second top stream enriched with furfural; (d) subjecting the second top stream from step (c) to a second distillation step providing: (i) a third top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope, and (ii) a third bottom stream comprising furfural.

Process for the recovery of furfural

A process for the extraction of furfural from a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one organic acid and an oxygenate solvent with a boiling point higher than that of furfural. The process includes: (a) subjecting the composition to a first liquid-liquid separation step to provide: (i) an organic phase; (b) subjecting the organic phase of step (a) to a first distillation step to provide: (i) a first top stream; (c) subjecting the first top stream of step (b) to a second liquid-liquid separation step to provide: (i) a second top stream; and (d) subjecting the second top stream of step (c) to a second distillation step to provide: (i) a third top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope, and (ii) a third bottom stream comprising furfural.

Process for the recovery of furfural

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.

Process for the recovery of furfural

Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural. The process includes 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 in a first liquid-liquid separator providing a first organic phase and a first aqueous phase; conveying the first organic phase along a first line to a distillation column and subjecting the first organic phase to a distillation step providing a top stream comprising furfural and a bottom stream comprising the aromatic solvent; subjecting the first aqueous phase and a portion of the bottom stream to a second separation step providing a second organic phase; conveying the second organic phase along a second line which either feeds its contents into the first line or into the distillation column and subjecting the resultant mixture to said distillation step.

Process for the production of alcohols from biomass

Alcohols useful as fuel compositions are produced from biomass by: contacting the biomass with a cooking liquor containing 1 to 20 wt %, based on the cooking liquor, of sodium hydroxide, and under conditions effective to provide a pulp stream containing pulp having a lignin content of 5% to 20% by weight, based on the pulp washing the pulp stream; hydrolyzing the washed pulp stream with an enzyme solution; fermenting the hydrolyzate in the presence of a microorganism, one alcohol having 2 to 18 carbon atoms.

Process for the production of alcohols from biomass

Alcohols useful as fuel compositions are produced from biomass by pretreating the biomass prior to hydrolysis and fermentation. In the pretreatment, the biomass is contacted with an aqueous solution containing a dilute acid with concentration of up to 10 wt % producing a predigested stream containing an aqueous liquor that contains at least a portion of hemicelluloses and a residual biomass that contains celluloses and lignin; separating at least a portion of the aqueous liquor from the residual biomass providing an aqueous liquor stream and a pre-digested biomass stream; then contacting the pre-digested 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.

Process for preparing furfural from biomass

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 C 5 -carbohydrate compound in monomeric and/or oligomeric form, and dehydrating the C 5 -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.

Process for the recovery of furfural

Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural. The process includes 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 in a first liquid-liquid separator providing a first organic phase and a first aqueous phase; conveying the first organic phase along a first line to a distillation column and subjecting the first organic phase to a distillation step providing a top stream comprising furfural and a bottom stream comprising the aromatic solvent; subjecting the first aqueous phase and a portion of the bottom stream to a second separation step providing a second organic phase; conveying the second organic phase along a second line which either feeds its contents into the first line or into the distillation column and subjecting the resultant mixture to said distillation step.

Process for the recovery of furfural

Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural including: (a) subjecting a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one inorganic acid, at least one organic acid and a solvent mixture comprising an aromatic solvent and an oxygenate solvent, to a first separation step providing: (i) a first organic phase; (b) subjecting the first organic phase to a first distillation step providing: (i) a first top stream comprising furfural and a portion of the at least one organic acid; (c) subjecting the first top stream from step (b) to a second separation step providing: (i) a second top stream enriched with furfural; (d) subjecting the second top stream from step (c) to a second distillation step providing: (i) a third top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope, and (ii) a third bottom stream comprising furfural.

biomass conversion system, and, method

Process including hydrogenolysis of biomass followed by dehydrogenation and aldol condensation to produce alkanes

A method comprising providing a carbohydrate feed; contacting at least a portion of the carbohydrate feed directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to produce a first reaction product comprising a stable hydroxyl intermediate; contacting at least a portion of the first reaction product comprising the stably hydroxyl intermediates with a dehydrogenation catalyst to form a second reaction product; and contacting at least a portion of the second reaction product with a condensation catalyst comprising a base functionality to form a fuel blend.

Closed-loop production of furfural from biomass

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.

Process to produce biofuels from biomass

A method to produce biofuels from biomass is provide by contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass, separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates; contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of the untreated aqueous liquor feed, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream, then contacting the treated carbohydrate stream with an aqueous phase reforming catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates; and processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel.

Continuous or semi-continuous biomass wash system for hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion

A selective removal of metal and its anion species that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed in a continuous or semi-continuous manner prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided.

Process for the recovery of furfural

Closed-loop production of furfural from biomass

Process for the recovery of furfural

Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural. The process includes 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 in a first liquid-liquid separator providing a first organic phase and a first aqueous phase; conveying the first organic phase along a first line to a distillation column and subjecting the first organic phase to a distillation step providing a top stream comprising furfural and a bottom stream comprising the aromatic solvent; subjecting the first aqueous phase and a portion of the bottom stream to a second separation step providing a second organic phase; conveying the second organic phase along a second line which either feeds its contents into the first line or into the distillation column and subjecting the resultant mixture to said distillation step.

Process for preparing furfural from biomass

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 C 5 -carbohydrate compound in monomeric and/or oligomeric form, and dehydrating the C5-carbohydrate compound in the presence of an acid, 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 that can be optionally recycled to the hydrolysis step.

Process including hydrogenolysis of biomass followed by dehydrogenation aldol condensation to produce alkanes

A method comprising providing a carbohydrate feed; contacting at least a portion of the carbohydrate feed directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to produce a first reaction product comprising a stable hydroxyl intermediate; contacting at least a portion of the first reaction product comprising the stably hydroxyl intermediates with a dehydrogenation catalyst to form a second reaction product; and contacting at least a portion of the second reaction product with a condensation catalyst comprising a base functionality to form a fuel blend.

Lignin-based solvents and methods for their preparation

Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a process for converting biomass into furfural. The process may include subjecting a pentosan-containing biomass material to an acid catalyzed digestion process in a digestion vessel to produce a digested product stream comprising C5-carbohydrates and solids comprising cellulose. The digested product stream may be separated into a liquid product stream and a solid product stream comprising lignin and cellulose. The solids product stream may be contacted with water and an organic solvent, thereby converting at least part of the lignin to a phenolic solvent. The C5-carbohydrate in the liquid product stream may be subjected to a dehydration reaction in the presence of an acid catalyst and a biphasic mixture comprising an aqueous phase and a water-immiscible organic phase, wherein the water-immiscible organic phase includes at least a portion of the phenolic solvent, to produce furfural or a furan derivative.

Methods and systems for production of furfural

Systems and method for production of furfural comprising combining a xylose-containing solution with an extraction solution comprising water-insoluble boronic acid to provide a first combined solution comprising an aqueous phase and a non-aqueous phase, said non-aqueous phase comprising xylose-diboronate ester (BA 2 X); combining at least a portion of the non-aqueous phase with an ionic conversion solution having a pH of less than or equal to 4 and comprising one or more salts to form a second combined solution, wherein the ionic conversion solution has a calculated molar ionic strength of at least 1, heating the second combined solution to convert at least a portion of the xylose-diboronate ester into furfural; separating the second combined solution into a second aqueous phase comprising from a second non-aqueous phase and recovering furfural from the second non-aqueous phase.

Process for the production of furfural

A process for the production of furfural from a biphasic composition including furfural, an organic solvent and soluble organic debris. The said process includes subjecting the biphasic composition to a liquid-liquid separation step to provide an organic phase and an aqueous phase. The organic phase includes the organic solvent, a first portion of the furfural and a first portion of soluble organic debris. The aqueous phase includes a remainder portion of the furfural and a remainder portion of soluble organic debris. The organic phase is subjected to a distillation step to provide a furfural stream and an organic solvent stream including the organic solvent and the first portion of the soluble organic debris. The organic solvent stream is conveyed to an adsorption unit to adsorb a second portion of the soluble organic debris, forming an organic debris-depleted recycle stream.

Closed-loop production of furfural from biomass

Process to produce biofuels from biomass

A method to produce biofuels from biomass is provide by contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass, separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates; contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of the untreated aqueous liquor feed, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream, then contacting the treated carbohydrate stream directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates; and processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel.

Process to produce biofuels from biomass

Processes to produce biofuels from biomass is provided where the biomass is contacted with an aqueous media to form a extracted biomass and at least a portion of an aqueous liquor separated from the extracted biomass containing soluble carbohydrate is treated with a purification substrate to form a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream prior to contact with a hydrogenolysis catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates that can be further processed to form a liquid fuel. An extracted biomass solids stream is also separated from the extracted biomass which is contacted with a first digestive solvent to form a pretreated biomass comprising celluloses and residual hemicelluloses and then a second digestive solvent to form a solubilized pulp comprising soluble carbohydrates. This solublilized pulp may be combined with the aqueous liquor stream or combined to a hydrogenolysis reaction system or recycled to the aqueous media to be processed further for an effective process to produce the liquid fuel. At least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates is used as the second digestive solvent.

Continuous or semi-continuous biomass wash system for hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion

A selective removal of metal and its anion species that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed in a continuous or semi-continuous manner prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/ hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided.

Direct aqueous phase reforming of bio-based feedstocks

A method comprises providing a bio-based feedstock; contacting the bio-based feedstock with a solvent in a hydrolysis reaction to form an intermediate stream comprising carbohydrates; contacting the intermediate stream with an apr catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates, wherein a first portion of the oxygenated intermediates are recycled to form the solvent; and processing at least a second portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a fuel blend.

Direct aqueous phase reforming of bio-based feedstocks

A method comprises providing a bio-based feedstock; contacting the bio-based feedstock with a solvent in a hydrolysis reaction to form an intermediate stream comprising carbohydrates; contacting the intermediate stream with an apr catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates, wherein a first portion of the oxygenated intermediates are recycled to form the solvent; and processing at least a second portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a fuel blend.

Biomass treatment for hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion

Process to produce biofuels from biomass

Process to produce biofuels from biomass

Processes to produce biofuels from biomass is provided where the biomass is contacted with an aqueous media to form a extracted biomass and at least a portion of an aqueous liquor separated from the extracted biomass containing soluble carbohydrate is treated with a purification substrate to form a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream prior to contact with an aqueous phase reforming catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates that can be further processed to form a liquid fuel. An extracted biomass solids stream is also separated from the extracted biomass which is contacted with a first digestive solvent to form a pretreated biomass comprising celluloses and residual hemicelluloses and then a second digestive solvent to form a solubilized pulp comprising soluble carbohydrates. This solublilized pulp may be combined with the aqueous liquor stream or combined to an aqueous reforming reaction system or recycled to the aqueous media to be processed further for an effective process to produce the liquid fuel. At least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates is used as the second digestive solvent.

Biomass treatment for hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion

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.

Process including hydrogenolysis of biomass followed by dehydrogenation and aldol condensation for producing alkanes

A method comprises providing a bio-based feedstock; contacting the bio-based feedstock with a solvent in a hydrolysis reaction to form an intermediate stream comprising carbohydrates; contacting the intermediate stream with an aqueous phase reforming catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates, wherein a first portion of the oxygenated intermediates are recycled to form the solvent; and contacting at least a second portion of the oxygenated intermediates with a condensation catalyst comprising a base functionality to form a fuel blend.

Process to produce biofuels from biomass

Processes to produce biofuels from biomass is provided where the biomass is contacted with an aqueous media to form a extracted biomass and at least a portion of an aqueous liquor separated from the extracted biomass containing soluble carbohydrate is treated with a purification substrate to form a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream prior to contact with a hydrogenolysis catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates that can be further processed to form a liquid fuel. An extracted biomass solids stream is also separated from the extracted biomass which is contacted with a first digestive solvent to form a pretreated biomass and then a second digestive solvent to form a solubilized pulp comprising soluble carbohydrates.

Process to produce biofuels from biomass

A method to produce biofuels from biomass is provide by contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass, separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates; contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of the untreated aqueous liquor feed, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream, then contacting the treated carbohydrate stream directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates; and processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel.

Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass

Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods and systems for processing a reaction product containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, can comprise hydrotreating the reaction product to convert the lignin-derived products to desired higher molecular weight compounds. The methods can further include separating the higher molecular weight compounds from unconverted products, such as unconverted phenolics, and recycling the unconverted phenolics for use as at least a portion of the digestion solvent and for further conversion to desired higher molecular weight compounds with additional hydrotreatment. The methods and systems can further include generating hydrogen with the further hydrotreatment.

Process to produce biofuels from biomass

A method to produce biofuels from biomass is provide by contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass, separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates; contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of the untreated aqueous liquor feed, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream, then contacting the treated carbohydrate stream directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates; and processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel.

Biomass treatment for hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion

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.

Process to produce biofuels from biomass

A process for producing biofuels from biomass is provided by removing sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds from the biomass by contacting the biomass with a digestive solvent to form a pretreated biomass containing soluble carbohydrates and having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content, based on untreated biomass on a dry mass basis, prior to carrying out aqueous phase reforming and further processing to form a liquid fuel.

Method for processing lignin during hydrothermal digestion of cellulosic biomass solids

BIOMASS TREATMENT FOR HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION

TRATAMENTO DE BIOMASSA PARA CONVERSÃO HIDROCATALÍTICA HIDROTÉRMICA. A remoção seletiva do cloro e fósforo, que são prejudiciais para conversão hidrocatalítica hidrotérmica subsequente a partir da alimentação de biomassa antes de se realizar a hidrogenação/hidrogenólise/hidrodesoxigenação catalítica da biomassa, de uma forma que não reduza a eficácia do tratamento hidrocatalítico hidrotérmico minimizando a quantidade de água utilizada no processo, é fornecida. BIOMASS TREATMENT FOR HYDROTHERMAL HYDROCATALYTIC CONVERSION. The selective removal of chlorine and phosphorus, which are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed prior to carrying out the catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass, in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment by minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided.

Biomass treatment for hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion

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.

Biomass treatment for hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion

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.