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US 10,239,905 B2Granted
Low temperature and efficient fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass using recyclable organic solid acids
OwnerJunyong Zhu, Liheng Chen +1inventors
InventorsJunyong Zhu, Liheng Chen, Roland Gleisner
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Abstract
Methods of fractionating lignocellulosic biomass using hydrotropic sulfonic acids are provided. Also provided are methods of forming lignin particles, furans, sugars, and/or lignocellulosic micro- and nanofibrils from the liquid and solid fractions produced by fractionation process. The fractionation can be carried out at low temperatures with short reaction times.
Claims18
A method for treating lignocellulosic biomass, the method comprising:
- dispersing a lignocellulosic biomass in an aqueous solution comprising a sulfonic acid, wherein the concentration of the sulfonic acid in the solution is higher than its minimal hydrotrope concentration;
- maintaining the solution at a temperature and for a time sufficient to dissolve at least 10 wt. % of the lignin in the lignocellulosic biomass;
- and
- separating the solution and the dispersed lignocellulosic biomass into a spent acid solution comprising dissolved lignin and a water-insoluble cellulose-rich solids fraction comprising water-insoluble lignocellulosic solid residues.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.