Methods for digestion of cellulosic biomass solids in the presence of a phenolic solvent generated in situ from lignin
US9458247B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 2014 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 6, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P30/20
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
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 containing up to about 50% water by mass in a digestion medium comprising about 50% or more of an organic solvent by volume; 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 therefrom; wherein the digestion medium and the water form a biphasic mixture in which the alcoholic component, slurry catalyst, and lignin are contained; removing at least a portion of the biphasic mixture from the digestion unit; converting at least a portion of the lignin into a phenolic solvent; and returning the phenolic solvent to the digestion unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.