Heterocyclic compounds produced from biomass

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 of biomass, a hydrolysate containing acid and heterocyclic compounds is formed. Upon withdrawing the hydrolysate from the vessel, and employment of separating means for removing heterocyclic compounds from the hydrolysate, a hydrolysate substantially devoid of heterocyclic compounds is provided for recycle to the vessel and will provide heterocyclic compounds. By withdrawing solids, containing lignins remaining from hydrolysis of biomass, from the vessel, and filtering the solids, to result in a filtrate for recycle to the vessel and provide filtered solids for subsequent processing. Thereby, heterocyclic compounds are derived from a biomass and withdrawn from the hydrolysis vessel, and solids, remaining from hydrolysis of biomass, are withdrawn from the hydrolysis vessel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.