# US 10,767,236 B2 · Method of producing sugar solution

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- Number: US 10,767,236 B2
- Document ID: US10767236B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/116,374
- Filed: 2015-01-29
- Published: 2017-03-02
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2014-02-05
- Assignees: Toray Industries, Inc.
- Applicants: Toray Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: Yuka Asahi; Atsushi Minamino; Jumpei Kishimoto; Masashi Higasa
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10767236B2

## CPC

- C13K 1/04: Purifying
- B01D 61/025: {Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration}
- B01D 61/027: {Nanofiltration}
- B01D 61/029: {Multistep processes comprising different kinds of membrane processes selected from reverse osmosis, hyperfiltration or nanofiltration}
- B01D 61/145: {Ultrafiltration}
- B01D 65/02: Membrane cleaning or sterilisation {; Membrane regeneration}
- B01D 2321/162: Use of acids
- B01D 2321/164: Use of bases
- B01D 2325/34: Molecular weight or degree of polymerisation
- Y02E 50/10: Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
- C13K: SACCHARIDES OBTAINED FROM NATURAL SOURCES OR BY HYDROLYSIS OF NATURALLY OCCURRING DISACCHARIDES, OLIGOSACCHARIDES OR POLYSACCHARIDES (chemically synthesised sugars or sugar derivatives C07H; polysaccharides, e.g. starch, derivatives thereof C08B; malt C12C; fermentation or enzyme-using processes for preparing compounds containing saccharide radicals C12P19/00; production of sucrose C13B)
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A method of producing a sugar liquid includes a step of filtering a saccharified liquid derived from cellulose-containing biomass, through a nanofiltration membrane and/or reverse osmosis membrane; and a two-step washing step of washing the nanofiltration membrane and/or reverse osmosis membrane after the filtration, with an acid washing liquid and then with an alkali washing liquid; is provided. The method of producing a sugar liquid in which a cellulose-derived sugar liquid is processed through a nanofiltration membrane and/or reverse osmosis membrane is/are effectively washed in a contaminated separation membrane(s).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of producing a sugar liquid comprising:
a step of filtering a saccharified liquid obtained by at least one selected from the group consisting of a) enzymatic saccharification of a cellulose-containing biomass pretreated by steam explosion treatment, b) hydrothermal treatment, c) acid treatment, d) alkali treatment, and e) ammonia treatment, through a nanofiltration membrane; and
a two-step washing step consisting of washing said nanofiltration membrane after said filtration, with nitric acid and then with an alkali washing liquid.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising a water washing step before said two-step washing step.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein said saccharified liquid contains calcium.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein said saccharified liquid is filtered through an ultrafiltration membrane to obtain a filtrate, and said filtrate is subjected to said step of filtration through a nanofiltration membrane and/or reverse osmosis membrane.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method according to claim 4, wherein the molecular weight cutoff of said ultrafiltration membrane is not more than 50,000.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, wherein said saccharified liquid contains calcium.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said saccharified liquid contains calcium.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the pH of said alkali washing liquid is not less than 9.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said alkali washing liquid contains one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and ammonia.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said two-step washing step is repeatedly carried out.

### Claim 11

A method of producing a sugar liquid comprising:
a step of filtering a saccharified liquid obtained by at least one selected from the group consisting of a) enzymatic saccharification of a cellulose-containing biomass pretreated by steam explosion treatment, b) hydrothermal treatment, c) acid treatment, d) alkali treatment, and e) ammonia treatment, through a nanofiltration membrane and a reverse osmosis membrane; and
a two-step washing step consisting of washing said nanofiltration membrane and said reverse osmosis membrane after said filtration, with nitric acid and then with an alkali washing liquid.

### Claim 12

A method of producing a sugar liquid comprising:
a step of filtering a saccharified liquid obtained by at least one selected from the group consisting of a) enzymatic saccharification of a cellulose-containing biomass pretreated by steam explosion treatment, b) hydrothermal treatment, c) acid treatment, d) alkali treatment, and e) ammonia treatment, through a nanofiltration membrane and a reverse osmosis membrane; and
a two-step washing step consisting of washing said nanofiltration membrane after said filtration, with nitric acid and then with an alkali washing liquid.