Separation of sugars derived from a biomass

A method for separating sugars from a biomass hydrolyzed by an aqueous acidic solution which comprises:

• providing a hydrolysis vessel for hydrolysis of a biomass, and
• providing a supply of said biomass to said hydrolysis vessel, and
• providing a supply of said aqueous acidic solution to said hydrolysis vessel, and
• providing a phase forming vessel, and
• subjecting said biomass, contained within said hydrolysis vessel, to hydrolysis by said aqueous acidic solution to form a hydrolysate containing sugars, and
• withdrawing said hydrolysate from said hydrolysis vessel, and
• transferring said hydrolysate to said phase forming vessel to form two phases;
• a sugar phase and an aqueous acidic solution phase, and
• separating said sugar phase from said phase forming vessel, and
• separating said aqueous acidic solution phase, from said phase forming vessel, for subsequent recycle to said hydrolysis vessel, and
• withdrawing residue, remaining from hydrolysis of said biomass, containing lignins, from the hydrolysis vessel, thereby hydrolysis of a biomass forms a hydrolysate containing sugars and substantially separating the sugars from the hydrolysate and withdrawing residue remaining from hydrolysis of the biomass from the hydrolysis vessel and the hydrolysate, with sugars substantially removed, will provide recycled aqueous acidic solution to the hydrolysis vessel.