Heterocyclic compounds extracted by a hydrocarbon

Abstract

Sugars derived from acidic hydrolysis of biomass consist of glucose and xyloses which are subjected to dehydration, within the hydrolysis environment, to form heterocyclic compounds, furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural. By providing a vessel for hydrolysis with a supply of a biomass, hydrolysate, containing acid and heterocyclic compounds, is formed. Upon withdrawing the hydrolysate from the vessel, and subjecting the hydrolysate to extracting with a hydrocarbon forms an extractate, containing dissolved heterocyclic compounds within the hydrocarbon, and a raffinate, providing a hydrolysate substantially devoid of heterocyclic compounds for recycle to the hydrolysis vessel. Withdrawing residue remaining from hydrolysis, containing lignins, from the vessel, and subjecting the residue to filtering, resulting in a filtrate for recycle to the vessel and provides filtered residue for subsequent processing. Thereby, heterocyclic compounds are derived from a biomass and withdrawn from the hydrolysis vessel. Residue, remaining from hydrolysis of the biomass, is also withdrawn from the hydrolysis vessel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.