Abstract:
It is disclosed a process for increasing the enzymatic accessibility of a thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock which has been thermally treated at a severity factor. The process comprises a step of fiber shives reduction, for reducing the amount of long shives. The thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass after fiber shives reduction is characterized by having an increased glucans accessibility and by forming a slurry having a low viscosity.
Abstract:
Disclosed in this specification is a lignin composition having unique characteristics relative to its characteristics as found in its natural environment. The lignin has been modified so that more lignin decomposes at the lower lignin decomposition temperature than decomposes at the higher lignin decomposition temperature and the lignin composition has a very high surface area relative to naturally occurring lignin compositions.
Abstract:
A process for producing polyols from a low viscosity slurry comprising a thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass which has been subjected to a fiber shives reduction step is provided. Specifically, a continuous process for catalyzing the formation of polyol products, such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, from the low viscosity slurry is provided.