US 10,266,610 B2 · Method of processing and fractionating biomass and use of fractions thus obtained

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of treating biomass, comprising providing a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock; contacting the biomass feedstock in a mixture, which is formed by the biomass, water and an alkaline agent, with an oxidizing agent at an elevated temperature; and continuing the contacting of the biomass feedstock with the oxidizing agent until a notable part of the lignin is solubilized. The step of providing the biomass feedstock comprises contacting a biomass raw-material containing cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in an aqueous phase with an alkaline agent; continuing the contacting of the biomass with the alkaline agent until a significant portion of the hemicellulose is dissolved in the aqueous phase to provide a modified biomass; recovering the modified biomass; optionally opening the structure of the modified biomass by mechanical treatment; and using the modified biomass as a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock. Treating the biomass provides hemicellulose, lignin and cellulose fractions that have a multitude of applications in the bioeconomy.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method of fractionation of biomass, in the absence of sulphurous chemicals, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock containing cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin;
b) dispersing the biomass feedstock in an aqueous phase in the presence of an alkaline agent in an amount of 0.2 to 4.0 mol/kg at a temperature of 120° C. to 180° C. for a period of 1 to 5 hours, whereby in excess of 30% by dry weight of the hemicellulose present in the biomass feedstock is leached into the aqueous phase;
c) separating the aqueous phase from the biomass;
d) defibering the biomass to provide a modified biomass;
e) contacting the modified biomass in an aqueous phase with an oxidizing agent in the presence of an alkaline agent in an amount of 0.5 to 4.0 mol/kg of the modified biomass at an elevated temperature of 100° C. to 180° C. for a period of 1 to 2 hours, whereby in excess of 20% of the lignin is dissolved in the aqueous medium and a cellulose-enriched biomass is obtained;
and
f)
g) recovering the cellulose-enriched biomass thus obtained.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of processing and fractionating biomass and use of fractions thus obtained

Life of this patent

Method of processing and fractionating biomass and use of fractions thus obtained

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24