Abstract:
A method of making a C4 diacid from a sugar source by fermentation with a microorganism is described that includes supplementing the fermentation medium with relatively low amounts of betaine. The use of betaine can substantially reduce or even completely eliminate the need for complex nutrient source such as yeast extract, and eliminate a need for vitamins such as biotin, while maintaining a high level of production of the C4 diacid from a simplified sugar based media. The use of betaine improves yield from sugar, final titer, and rate of production per hour. The method is particularly suitable for microorganisms that otherwise display a dependence on yeast extract for high productivity, more particularly for any bacteria, and most particularly for the production of succinic acid from the bacterium Actinobacillus succinogenes. An improved strain of A succinogenes is also described, having a mutation in a betaine transporter that improves C4 diacid production in the presence of betaine.
Abstract:
Processes are described for producing furfural from a mixture of pentoses and hexoses, by dehydrating and cyclizing pentoses to provide furfural using a water-soluble acid at elevated temperatures in the presence of a low-boiling, water-immiscible organic solvent, such as toluene, which is effective for extracting the furfural into an organic phase portion. In certain embodiments, a fermentation step occurs prior to the dehydration step to convert hexoses in the mixed pentoses and hexoses to ethanol while conserving pentoses therein for making furfural.
Abstract:
A process is described for producing an isohexide wherein an hexitol or a combination of hexitols is continuously dehydrated in the presence of an acid catalyst under vacuum using a thin film evaporator.
Abstract:
A process is disclosed for making dehydration products from an aqueous sugars solution including pentoses, hexoses or both, for example, an aqueous high fructose corn syrup solution, or from an aqueous solution of one or more of the alcohols of such pentoses and hexoses, for example, from an aqueous sorbitol solution, by an acid-catalyzed dehydration using substituted sulfonic acids solubilized in the aqueous sugars or sugar alcohols solution.
Abstract:
A process for production of C5 and C6 sugar enriched syrups from lignocellulosic biomass and fermentation products therefrom is described. A lignocellulosic biomass is treated with a C1-C2 acid (e.g., acetic acid) with washing thereof with a C1-C2 acid miscible organic solvent, (e.g., ethyl acetate). A soluble hemicellulose and lignin enriched fraction is obtained separately from a cellulose pulp enriched fraction and lignin is removed from the soluble hemicellulose fraction. These fractions contain acylated (e.g., acetylated) cellulose and hemicellulose, which are deacylated by treatment with an alkali and/or with an acetyl esterase enzyme. The deacylated fractions are then digested with suitable cellulolytic and/or hemicellulolytic enzymes, preferably in the presence of non-ionic detergent to yield the C5 and C6 enriched syrups. Also described are method of fermentation of the syrups to make ethanol to at least 7% w/vol by separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) or simultaneous hydrolysis and fermentation (SSF) methods.
Abstract:
A process is described wherein a feed of a six-carbon carbohydrate-containing material or of a furanic dehydration product from a six-carbon carbohydrate-containing material or of a combination of these is supplied to a reactor in a controlled manner over time up to a desired combined or total feed level, and the feed is acid-hydrolyzed to produce levulinic acid. In certain embodiments, derivatives of the levulinic acid are prepared.
Abstract:
Presently disclosed are processes for making acrylic acid and methacrylic acid along with their respective esters, from alkylene glycols such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. In particular, biobased acrylic acid and acrylic acid esters, methacrylic acid and methacrylic acid esters can be made starting with bioderived glycols from the hydrogenolysis of glycerol, sorbitol and the like.
Abstract:
Vegetable oils having a low level of glycidol esters are disclosed. Methods for reduction of the content of glycidol esters in edible oils are also disclosed
Abstract:
Systems and related methods of using heat to process an agriculture/product are provided. The system comprises a circulating fluidized bed combustor, a first conduit system, and an indirect heating dryer. The circulating fluidized bed combustor comprises a combustion chamber configured to combust a fuel to generate a mixture comprising hot gases and particulate matter, and a separation chamber configured to separate at least a portion of the particulate matter from the mixture to form a flow of cleaned hot gas. The first conduit system is configured to conduct the cleaned hot gas to a heat exchanger. The indirect heating dryer is in heat conductive contact with the heat exchanger and configured to use the heat from the cleaned hot gas to indirectly dry the agricultural product without contacting the agricultural product with the cleaned hot gas. The system and methods provide hot gas for efficient and low cost energy formed from alternative and lower cost fuels, including biomass sources, and allows for flexibility and efficiency in numerous manufacturing processes.
Abstract:
A process is provided for the preparation of anhydrosugar alcohols. The process involves heating a sugar alcohol or a monoanhydrosugar alcohol starting material in the presence of an acid catalyst, and subsequent purification of the anhydrosugar alcohol. In some embodiments of the present invention, film evaporators are used in distillation and purification of the anhydrosugar alcohols. Anhydrosugar alcohols of very high purity are achieved in the practice of the present invention. In some embodiments of the present invention, very high purities of the anhydrosugar alcohols are achieved without the use of organic solvents.