Continuous catalytic generation of polyols from cellulose with recycle

A process for generating at least one polyol from a feedstock comprising cellulose, the process comprising:

• a). contacting, in a continuous manner, in a reaction zone comprising at least a mixing unit followed by a reactor, hydrogen, water, and a feedstock comprising cellulose, with a catalyst comprising nickel tungsten carbide to generate an effluent stream comprising at least one polyol, hydrogen, water and at least one co-product, wherein the hydrogen, water, and feedstock comprising cellulose are flowing in a continuous manner;
• b). separating hydrogen from the effluent stream and recycling at least a portion of the separated hydrogen to the reactor;
• c). separating water from the effluent stream, after the hydrogen separation, and recycling at least a portion of the separated water to the mixing unit;
• d). recovering the polyol from the effluent stream;
• and
• e). recovering the separating at least one co-product from the effluent stream after separating hydrogen and water, and recycling at least a portion of the separated co-product to the mixing unit.

A process for generating at least one polyol from a feedstock comprising cellulose, the process comprising:

• a). contacting, in a continuous manner, in a slurry reaction zone comprising at least a mixing unit followed by a slurry reactor, hydrogen, water, and a feedstock comprising cellulose, with a slurried catalyst comprising nickel tungsten carbide to generate an effluent stream comprising at least one polyol, hydrogen, water and at least one co-product, wherein the hydrogen, water, and feedstock comprising cellulose are flowing in a continuous manner;
• b). separating hydrogen from the effluent stream and recycling at least a portion of the separated hydrogen to the slurry reactor;
• c). separating water from the effluent stream, after the hydrogen separation, and recycling at least a portion of the separated water to the mixing unit;
• and
• d). recovering the polyol from the effluent stream.