Abstract:
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 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.
Abstract:
A method of treating ethanol production byproduct is provided by treating wet distillers grain or stillage with a solution containing at least one α-hydroxysulfonic acid to produce at least one fermentable sugar containing product. Fermentable sugar useful for the production of biofuels or ethanol can be produced from such methods. The α-hydroxysulfonic acid can be easily removed from the product and recycled.
Abstract:
Fermentable sugar useful for the production of biofuels can be produced from biomass by contacting the biomass with a solution containing at least one α-hydroxysulfonic acid. The α-hydroxysulfonic acid can be easily removed from the product and recycled.
Abstract:
A novel method of separating bio oil (pyrolysis oil) into oxygenated rich species and lignin/phenolic based species in a highly efficient manner is provided. Lignin and phenolic fractions can be separated from light oxygenates from bio oil by use of reversible α-hydroxysulfonic acid.
Abstract:
An acid-generating fluid includes a thermally activated strong acid precursor. The thermally activated strong acid precursor can include a component selected from aldehydes, ketones, and combinations thereof, in combination with a precursor of a compound adapted to react to liberate sulfur dioxide; or it can include sulfur dioxide in combination with a precursor of a compound adapted to react to liberate a component selected from aldehydes, ketones, and combinations thereof.
Abstract:
Since biomass is always accompanied by caustic inorganic materials, we have found that the formation of the anion salt of α-hydroxysulfonic acid represent the largest “loss” of the α-hydroxysulfonic acid in the potential reversible acid pretreatment process. By titrating the α-hydroxysulfonic acid salt with strong mineral acid and then reverting the alfa-hydroxysulfonic acid as its primary components, the acid components can be recovered substantially quantitatively.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide for efficient and economical production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds. One embodiment comprises contacting a solid component of a biomass material with a solution adapted to facilitate saccharification. The solid component is generated by a method comprising: introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material; and retaining at least a portion of the gas component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream. In one embodiment, the solid component contacted with the solution is further subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis and/or fermentation.