Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into at least fuel-grade ethanol and four classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for physico-chemically digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for producing at least a fuel-grade ethanol and a first class of novel lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for separating a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives from the liquid fraction and further processing the liquid fraction to produce a distillate and a stillage, a fourth processing module configured for separating a fourth class of lignin derivatives from the stillage and further processing the stillage to produce a sugar syrup.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to hardwood lignin derivatives having an aliphatic hydroxyl content of from about 5.2 mmol/g to about 7 mmol/g lignin, and the preparation method thereof. The lignin derivatives have a desired antioxidant activity characterized by the normalized radical scavenging index (RSI). Another aspect of the invention relates to compositions comprising the hardwood lignin derivative. Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of the hardwood lignin derivatives comprising incorporating the hardwood lignin derivatives into polymer compositions.

Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into one or more of a de-lignified cellulose stream, a sugar stream, small-chain alcohol streams and four structurally distinct classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for recovering small-chain alcohols and optionally a first class of lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for recovering from the liquid fraction at least one of a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives or mixtures thereof, and waste stream comprising a fourth class of lignin derivatives. The fourth processing module may optionally recover the fourth class of lignin derivatives.

Abstract: Processes and systems for concurrent recovery of lignin derivatives and syngas from a lignocellulosic feedstock. The processes and systems therefor generally comprise the steps of: (a) perfusing and cooking the lignocellulosic feedstock with a suitable organic solvent for a suitable period of time thereby producing a cellulosic solids output stream and a spent liquid solvent stream, said spent liquid solvent stream comprising solubilized lignin derivatives and other organic compounds; (b) separating said cellulosic solids output stream and said spent liquid solvent stream; (c) recovering lignin derivatives from the spent liquid solvent stream thereby producing at least a partially de-lignified spent liquid solvent stream; (d) recovering a portion of the organic solvent from the at least partially de-lignified spent liquid solvent stream thereby producing a stillage; and (e) gasifying the cellulosic solids output stream thereby producing a combustible syngas.

Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into at least fuel-grade ethanol and four classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process includes a first processing module configured for physico-chemically digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for producing at least a fuel-grade ethanol and a first class of novel lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for separating a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives from the liquid fraction and further processing the liquid fraction to produce a distillate and a stillage, a fourth processing module configured for separating a fourth class of lignin derivatives from the stillage and further processing the stillage to produce a sugar syrup.

Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into one or more of a de-lignified cellulose stream, a sugar stream, small-chain alcohol streams and four structurally distinct classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for recovering small-chain alcohols and optionally a first class of lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for recovering from the liquid fraction at least one of a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives or mixtures thereof, and waste stream comprising a fourth class of lignin derivatives. The fourth processing module may optionally recover the fourth class of lignin derivatives.

Abstract: A process for concurrent production of lignins, fuel alcohol, and biogas from lignocellulosic feedstocks. The process comprises: (1) pretreating a lignocellulosic feedstock to produce a solubilised liquid components stream comprising lignins, lignin-derived compounds, and a cellulosic pulp stream, (2) separating the liquid stream from the cellulosic pulp stream, (3) processing the liquid stream to separate and recover at least lignins, lignin-derived compounds, and semi-solid waste material, (b) processing the cellulosic pulp stream to saccharify and ferment the cellulose pulp to produce a beer which is then separated into fuel-grade alcohol and a waste stillage material, (4) anaerobically digesting the semi-solid waste material from the liquid stream and the waste stillage material to produce a biogas. The rate of anaerobic digestion can be manipulated by controllably supplying a portion of the monosaccharides produced from the cellulosic pulp. The cellulosic pulp stream may also be anaerobically digested.

Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into one or more of a de-lignified cellulose stream, a sugar stream, small-chain alcohol streams and four structurally distinct classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for recovering small-chain alcohols and optionally a first class of lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for recovering from the liquid fraction at least one of a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives or mixtures thereof, and waste stream comprising a fourth class of lignin derivatives. The fourth processing module may optionally recover the fourth class of lignin derivatives.

Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into at least fuel-grade ethanol and four classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for physico-chemically digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for producing at least a fuel-grade ethanol and a first class of novel lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for separating a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives from the liquid fraction and further processing the liquid fraction to produce a distillate and a stillage, a fourth processing module configured for separating a fourth class of lignin derivatives from the stillage and further processing the stillage to produce a sugar syrup.

Abstract: A process for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of a cellulosic solids fraction extracted from a lignocellulosic feedstock. The viscosity of the cellulosic solids fraction is reduced by intermixing with a liquid carbohydrate stream. A suitable liquid carbohydrate stream is a de-lignified liquids fraction that was previously separated from the solids fraction during processing of the lignocellulosic feedstock. Alternatively, the viscosity of the solids fraction may be reduced by commingling with a liquid carbohydrate stream comprising one or more monosaccharides. The reduced-viscosity cellulosic solids fraction is then commingled with a fermentative microbial inoculant and a cellulosic biomass-degrading enzyme composition. The commingled mixture is maintained in a pressurized reaction vessel under elevated temperatures to enable simultaneous enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulosic solids to monosaccharides and fermentation of the monosaccharides to produce an ethanolic beer.

Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into at least fuel-grade ethanol and four classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for physico-chemically digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for producing at least a fuel-grade ethanol and a first class of novel lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for separating a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives from the liquid fraction and further processing the liquid fraction to produce a distillate and a stillage, a fourth processing module configured for separating a fourth class of lignin derivatives from the stillage and further processing the stillage to produce a sugar syrup.

Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into at least fuel-grade ethanol and four classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for physico-chemically digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for producing at least a fuel-grade ethanol and a first class of novel lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for separating a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives from the liquid fraction and further processing the liquid fraction to produce a distillate and a stillage, a fourth processing module configured for separating a fourth class of lignin derivatives from the stillage and further processing the stillage to produce a sugar syrup.