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AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsJames A. Dumesic, David Martin Alonso, Jeremy Scott Luterbacher
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Described is a method of processing biomass to separate it into a liquid fraction enriched in solubilized C5-sugar-containing oligomers and C-5 sugar monomers and a solid fraction enriched in substantially insoluble cellulose and C6-sugar-containing oligomers. The method includes the steps of reacting biomass with a solvent system comprising water, at least one lactone, or at least one furan, or at least one cyclic ether, and at least one acid, for a time and at a temperature to yield the liquid and solid fractions. The liquid and solid fractions may then be separated. Gamma-valeroloactone is a preferred lactone for use in the solvent system. Tetrahydrofuran is a preferred furan species for use in the solvent system.
A method of processing biomass, the method comprising reacting biomass with a solvent system comprising water, at least one acid, and at least one organic compound selected from a lactone, a furan, a cyclic ether, or combinations thereof, for a time and at a temperature to yield a liquid fraction enriched in solubilized C5-sugar-containing oligomers and C-5 sugar monomers and a solid fraction enriched in substantially insoluble cellulose and C6-sugar-containing oligomers.
A method of processing biomass, the method comprising reacting biomass with a solvent system comprising water, a mineral acid, and gamma-valerolactone (GVL), tetrahydrofuran (THF), or a cyclic ether, for a time of from about 1 min to about 12 hrs, and at a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 200° C., wherein the reaction yields a liquid fraction enriched in solubilized C5-sugar-containing oligomers and C-5 sugar monomers and a solid fraction enriched in substantially insoluble cellulose and C6-sugar-containing oligomers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.