Abstract:
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 for further processing.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a process for fractionating lignocellulosic biomass, comprising: digesting a biomass feedstock in the presence of a solvent for lignin, an acid, and water, to produce cellulose-rich solids; separating and washing the cellulose-rich solids with a wash solvent; washing the cellulose-rich solids with water, to generate washed cellulose-rich solids and a wash liquor comprising fines, wherein the wash liquor is introduced to or in contact with a classifier to remove the fines; and separating the fines and recycling the remaining water. The classifier may include a screen with mesh size in the range of 10 to 500, such as 200. The washed cellulose- rich solids will typically have a lower Kappa number (lignin content) and ash content compared to cellulose-rich solids from a process without a classifier that removes fines.
Abstract:
Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids can be enhanced in the presence of a phenolic solvent. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids can comprise providing cellulosic biomass solids in a digestion medium comprising a phenolic solvent; and heating the cellulosic biomass solids and the digestion medium in a digestion unit in the presence of molecular hydrogen and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, thereby forming an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids and liberating lignin from the cellulosic biomass solids into the digestion medium. The methods can further comprise converting at least a portion of the lignin into a phenolic solvent and returning the phenolic solvent formed from lignin to the cellulosic biomass solids.
Abstract:
The GreenBox+ technology is suitable to extract hemicellulose sugars prior to pulping of biomass into pulp products. The revenue obtainable from the sugar stream can significantly improve the economics of a pulp and paper mill. An initial extraction and recovery of sugars is followed by production of a pulp product with similar or better properties. Other co-products such as acetates and furfural are also possible. Some variations provide a process for co-producing pulp and hemicellulosic sugars from biomass, comprising: digesting the biomass in the presence of steam and/or hot water to extract hemicellulose into a liquid phase; washing the extracted solids, thereby generating a liquid wash filtrate and washed solids; separating the liquid wash filtrate from the washed solids; refining the washed solids at a refining pH of about 4 or higher, thereby generating pulp; and hydrolyzing the hemicellulose to generate hemicellulosic fermentable sugars.
Abstract:
La présente invention décrit un procédé de prétraitement de biomasse lignocellulosique comprenant : a) une étape d'hydrolyse acide de la biomasse par une solution acide conduisant à une fraction liquide et à une fraction solide, b) une étape de séparation de la fraction solide et de la fraction liquide, c) une étape de séchage de la fraction solide, d) une étape de cuisson de la fraction solide séchée dans un milieu comprenant au moins un sel inorganique hydraté de formule : MX n .n'H 2 O dans lequel M un métal choisi dans les groupes 1 à 13 de la classification périodique, X est un anion et n est un nombre entier compris entre 1 et 6 et n' étant compris entre 0,5 et 12, permettant d'obtenir une fraction solide et une fraction liquide, e) une étape de séparation de la fraction solide et de la fraction liquide obtenues dans l'étape d), f) éventuellement une étape de traitement de ladite fraction solide de l'étape e).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for treating a lignocellulose biomass in order to dissolve the lignin therein, while the cellulose does not dissolve. The cellulose pulp obtained can be used to produce glucose. In addition the lignin can be isolated for subsequent use in the renewable chemical industry as a source for aromatic platform chemicals.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for converting lignocellulosic biomass into sugars, comprising at least three steps. The first step is a step of cooking the lignocellulosic biomass in the presence of at least one hydrated inorganic salt. The second step is a step of separating at least one solid fraction having undergone the cooking step, and the third step is a step of enzymatic hydrolysis of said solid fraction so as to convert the polysaccharides into monosaccharides. The resulting sugars are then able to be fermented into alcohols.
Abstract:
The invention describes solutions containing cellulose and a method of dissolving lignocellulosic materials. In the method, the lignocellulosic material is contacted with a conjugate acid, formed by a strong organic base and a weaker acid, under conditions which are conducive to at least a partial dissolution of the cellulosic components of the lignocellulosic material. It has been found that it is possible to recover at least a portion of the dissolved part of the lignocellulosic material by at least partial dissociation of the conjugate acid. Furthermore it is possible to recover at least a portion of the dissociated organic base and the acid, to form a conjugate acid of the recovered base and acid, and to recycle it for use in the first steps of the method.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides an organosolv biorefining process. The present process comprises treating a lignocellulosic biomass in the presence of a solvent and under certain conditions to separate at least a part of the lignin from the biomass.