Abstract

A method of obtaining ethanol from a lignocellulosic biomass comprises delignification of a lignocellulosic biomass using a modified Caro's acid. Next a solid portion of the delignification reaction mixture is recovered wherein the solid portion comprises a substantially hemicellulose-free cellulosic component which includes at most, up to 15% w/w hemicellulose. Next, the recovered solid portion of the resulting reaction mixture is exposed to an enzyme mix comprising cellulase enzymes to create a saccharification system that breaks down the cellulose into a saccharified composition such as oligosaccharides. The saccharified composition is then fed to an organism, such as yeast, with the ability to ferment sugars into ethanol.

IPC Classes  ?

• C12P 7/10 - Ethanol, i.e. non-beverage produced as by-product or from waste or cellulosic material substrate substrate containing cellulosic material

Abstract

A process to increase the amount of methane produced from a bio-digester comprises providing a digester to receive a feed and to capture a biogas composition resulting from bio-digestion. Organic material is added to the digester along with at least one inoculum capable of converting a portion of the organic material into methane under anaerobic conditions. A biomass is provided that is substantially free of lignin in an amount that ranges between 0.1 to 5% w/w of the total feed, the biomass further having another organic material. The biomass is added to the digester. Sufficient time is allowed for the digester to degrade the biomass and the organic material to yield a biogas composition that includes methane. Optionally, the biomass that is substantially free of lignin is added in an amount that ranges between 0.1 to 5% w/w of the total feed of the biomass having the other organic material.

IPC Classes  ?

• C12P 5/02 - Preparation of hydrocarbons acyclic
• C12M 1/107 - Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology with means for collecting fermentation gases, e.g. methane

Abstract

A process to perform a controlled exothermic delignification of biomass comprises providing a system having a first vessel and a second vessel, providing a biomass comprising lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose fibers placed into the first vessel, providing an aqueous acidic composition comprising a sulfuric acid component, providing a modifier component and providing a peroxide component. The biomass is exposed to the sulfuric acid component and peroxide component, thereby creating a reaction mass. The reaction mass is mixed and the sulfuric acid, modifier and peroxide components are allowed to come into contact with the biomass for a period of time sufficient for a delignification reaction to occur and to remove a predetermined amount of the lignin from the biomass. The predetermined amount is assessed by testing a first kappa number of the biomass. When the first kappa number of the biomass is reached, the biomass is transferred to the second vessel.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/04 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides
• D21C 3/22 - Other features of pulping processes
• D21C 3/26 - Multi-stage processes
• D21C 7/10 - Heating devices
• D21C 7/08 - Discharge devices

Abstract

A modified aqueous acid composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety; and a peroxide; wherein sulfuric acid, said compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety and said peroxide are present in a molar ratio of no less than 1:1:1. Also disclosed are methods of using such compositions.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/04 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides
• D21B 1/02 - Pretreatment of the raw materials by physical or chemical means
• C01B 17/69 - Sulfur trioxide; Sulfuric acid

Abstract

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a compound comprising an amine moiety; a compound comprising a sulfonic acid moiety; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass.

IPC Classes  ?

• C07C 309/04 - Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of an acyclic saturated carbon skeleton containing only one sulfo group
• C07C 215/08 - Compounds containing amino and hydroxy groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having hydroxy groups and amino groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being saturated and acyclic with only one hydroxy group and one amino group bound to the carbon skeleton
• C07G 1/00 - Low-molecular-weight derivatives of lignin
• C01B 15/01 - Hydrogen peroxide
• C01B 17/69 - Sulfur trioxide; Sulfuric acid
• C07C 215/10 - Compounds containing amino and hydroxy groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having hydroxy groups and amino groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being saturated and acyclic with one amino group and at least two hydroxy groups bound to the carbon skeleton
• D21C 3/04 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides
• D21C 3/00 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials
• D21C 9/16 - Bleaching with per compounds

Abstract

A process to hydrolyze cellulose into cellobiose comprising the following steps: providing a reaction vessel; providing a Cellulomonas uda (ATCC 491) inoculum; exposing said Cellulomonas uda (ATCC 491) bacterium to a source of cellulose having a kappa number of less than 10 in an aqueous medium of pH of about 8 at a temperature ranging from 30° C. to 35° C. for a period of time ranging from 14 to 42 days; exposing the cellobiose to a bacterium or fungi or yeast, or combination which converts cellobiose to glucose or ethanol.

IPC Classes  ?

• C12P 19/12 - Disaccharides
• C12P 19/02 - Monosaccharides
• C12P 7/14 - Multiple stages of fermentation; Multiple types of microorganisms or reuse for microorganisms
• C12N 1/20 - Bacteria; Culture media therefor
• C12P 19/14 - Preparation of compounds containing saccharide radicals produced by the action of a carbohydrase, e.g. by alpha-amylase

Abstract

A process to delignify biomass, said process comprising the steps of: providing a vessel; providing biomass comprising lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose fibers into said vessel; providing a aqueous acidic composition comprising a sulfuric acid component; providing a peroxide component; exposing said biomass to said sulfuric acid component and peroxide component, creating a reaction mass; allowing said sulfuric acid component and peroxide component to come into contact with said biomass for a period of time sufficient to a delignification reaction to occur and remove over 90 wt % of said lignin and hemicellulose from said biomass; and controlling the temperature of the delignification reaction to maintain it below 55° C.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/00 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials
• D21C 3/04 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides

Abstract

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a modifying agent comprising an amine group; and a peroxide. The amine group can include triethanolamine, diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, pyrrolidine, ethylenediamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, DIPEA, cyclohexylamine, piperidine, morpholine, DBU, benzylamine, and combinations thereof. The composition is capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place. The composition can be used in processing and depolymerization of cellulose from a plant source.

IPC Classes  ?

• C01B 17/69 - Sulfur trioxide; Sulfuric acid
• D21C 3/04 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides
• C08H 8/00 - Macromolecular compounds derived from lignocellulosic materials

Abstract

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a heterocyclic compound; an alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/00 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials

Abstract

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a modifying agent comprising a carbonyl-containing nitrogenous base compound; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/04 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides
• D21C 3/00 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials
• D21C 9/16 - Bleaching with per compounds

Abstract

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a heterocyclic compound; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/00 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials

Abstract

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; an alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/00 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials

Abstract

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a substituted aromatic compound; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/00 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials

Abstract

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a modifying agent comprising an arylsulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/06 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides bisulfites
• D21C 3/00 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials

Abstract

wherein said process is carried out at atmospheric pressure.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/04 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides
• D21C 9/16 - Bleaching with per compounds
• D21C 3/00 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials
• C01B 15/04 - Metal peroxides or peroxyhydrates thereof; Superoxides; Ozonides
• C09K 3/00 - Materials not provided for elsewhere

Abstract

Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibres and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: an acid; a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; alkylsulfonic acid; aryl sulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a metal salt; and a peroxide; for a period of time sufficient to remove substantially all (at least 80%) of the lignin present on said plant material.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/04 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides

Abstract

Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibres and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: an acid; a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; N-alkylimidazole derivative; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; alkylsulfonic acid; arylsulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a metal oxide; and a peroxide; adding an organic solvent to the resulting mixture; allowing a delignification reaction to occur for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present on said plant material.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/04 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides
• D21C 3/00 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials
• D21C 9/16 - Bleaching with per compounds

Abstract

exposing a lignocellulosic material to said reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to allow delignification of the lignocellulosic material.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/04 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides

Abstract

Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibres and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: an acid; a capping agent; and a peroxide; for a period of time sufficient to remove substantially all (at least 80%) of the lignin present on said plant material. Also disclosed are compositions to accomplish such delignification and processes using such.

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/04 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides
• D21C 3/00 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials
• D21C 9/16 - Bleaching with per compounds

Abstract

A modified aqueous acid composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety; and a peroxide; wherein sulfuric acid, said compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety and said peroxide are present in a molar ratio of no less than 1:1:1. Also disclosed are methods of using such compositions.

IPC Classes  ?

• C01B 17/69 - Sulfur trioxide; Sulfuric acid
• D21C 3/04 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides
• D21B 1/02 - Pretreatment of the raw materials by physical or chemical means

Abstract

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a compound comprising an amine moiety; a compound comprising a sulfonic acid moiety; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass.

IPC Classes  ?

• C01B 17/69 - Sulfur trioxide; Sulfuric acid
• C07C 309/04 - Sulfonic acids having sulfo groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of an acyclic saturated carbon skeleton containing only one sulfo group
• C07C 215/08 - Compounds containing amino and hydroxy groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having hydroxy groups and amino groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being saturated and acyclic with only one hydroxy group and one amino group bound to the carbon skeleton
• C07G 1/00 - Low-molecular-weight derivatives of lignin
• C01B 15/01 - Hydrogen peroxide
• C07C 215/10 - Compounds containing amino and hydroxy groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having hydroxy groups and amino groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being saturated and acyclic with one amino group and at least two hydroxy groups bound to the carbon skeleton
• D21C 3/04 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides
• D21C 3/00 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials
• D21C 9/16 - Bleaching with per compounds

Abstract

Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibers and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide, wherein said alkylsulfonic acid and peroxide are present in a molar ratio ranging from 1:1 to 15:1 and the time of exposure is sufficient to remove substantially all of the lignin present on said plant material. Compositions capable of achieving delignification are also disclosed

IPC Classes  ?

• D21C 3/06 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials with acids, acid salts, or acid anhydrides bisulfites
• D21C 3/00 - Pulping cellulose-containing materials