Abstract: Disclosed are methods of functionalizing lignin using reactive extraction. The invention also generally relates to functionalized lignin. An exemplary method for producing functionalized lignin is disclosed, which comprises: providing a residue comprising lignin and cellulose; subjecting the residue to a liquid comprising an organic compound, thereby forming a first mixture; wherein the subjecting is performed at a first temperature of about 100° C. or less; and wherein the first mixture comprises: a first liquid fraction comprising solubilized functionalized lignin, wherein the solubilized functionalized lignin is functionalized with the organic compound; and a first solid fraction comprising cellulose.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing and collecting a polyaromatic compound. Also disclosed are products comprising a polyaromatic compound.

Abstract: Disclosed are lignins and lignin compositions having high purity. Also disclosed are lignins having unique structural characteristics, including less structural degradation than conventional lignins.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the continuous treatment of biomass comprising a pretreatment step, wherein said biomass is contacted with a first supercritical, near-critical, or sub-critical fluid to form a solid matrix and a first liquid fraction; and a hydrolysis step, wherein said solid matrix formed in said pretreatment step is contacted with a second supercritical or near-supercritical fluid to produce a second liquid fraction and an insoluble lignin-containing fraction. Also disclosed are apparatuses for the continuous conversion of biomass comprising a pretreatment reactor and a hydrolysis reactor associated with said pretreatment reactor.

Abstract: Compositions comprising C5 and C6 monosaccharides and low levels of undesirable impurities, such as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising C5 and C6 monosaccharides and low levels of undesirable impurities, such as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising C5 and C6 monosaccharides and low levels of undesirable impurities, such as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising lignin and low levels of undesirable impurities, such as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for the hydrolysis of mixed biomass. The methods include forming a mixture of at least two modified biomass feedstocks to achieve various benefits, such as maximizing sugar yields and minimizing the formation of degradation products.

Abstract: Compositions comprising C5 and C6 saccharides of varying degrees of polymerization and low levels of undesirable impurities, such as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising C5 and C6 saccharides of varying degrees of polymerization and low levels of undesirable impurities, such as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to regulation of the p H of a liquefaction process. Presented is a method for treatment of a biomass feedstock wherein the biomass feedstock is subjected to liquefaction, at a p H of at most 4, by treatment with hot compressed liquid water (HCW) at subcritical and/or supercritical conditions to improve the conversion efficiency. The present invention is also directed to quenching of a liquefaction process according to above, preventing, minimizing or eliminating clogging and/or fouling of sticky biomass components in process equipment during processing as according to above, and to the use of additives in a biomass liquefaction process.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing and collecting a polyaromatic compound. Also disclosed are products comprising a polyaromatic compound.

Abstract: Vessels can be become fouled due to normal operation thereof, for example, during lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis, and the vessel will become inoperable unless the fouling is removed from the vessel. Accordingly, methods are disclosed herein for removing fouling substances from the interior surfaces of fouled pressurized vessels. The methods utilize a brief rapid change of pressure in the vessel. In some embodiments, the rapid pressure change is a decrease, and the rapid pressure change causes, for example, increased velocity of the fluid flowing in the vessel, flashing of a portion of the fluid to vapor, and removal of the fouling substance adhered to the interior surface of the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for a controlled conversion of a biomass feedstock, wherein the process comprises the steps of: loading the biomass feedstock to at least one reactor; liquefaction of the biomass feedstock into a monomer and/or oligomer sugar mixture in said reactor by treatment in hot compressed liquid water (HCW) at sub- and/or super-critical condition; and removal of the monomer and/or oligomer sugar mixture, being the product molecules, to avoid continued detrimental decomposition.

Abstract: Methods and systems for biomass hydrolysis are disclosed. The methods use wash liquor in a sequencing process to maximize sugar yields, particularly C5 saccharides.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for providing recovered lignin of suitable quantity and quality to provide sufficient heating value to power the generation of supercritical or near critical water without the need for outside sources of energy. Supercritical or near critical water generator devices and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating a saccharide-containing composition, the method comprising contacting a composition containing a saccharide with a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof wherein R1-R4, X, and n are as described herein. Further provided is a composition comprising a saccharide and a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the continuous treatment of biomass comprising a pretreatment step, wherein said biomass is contacted with a first supercritical, near-critical, or sub-critical fluid to form a solid matrix and a first liquid fraction; and a hydrolysis step, wherein said solid matrix formed in said pretreatment step is contacted with a second supercritical or near-supercritical fluid to produce a second liquid fraction and a insoluble lignin-containing fraction. Also disclosed are apparatuses for the continuous conversion of biomass comprising a pretreatment reactor and a hydrolysis reactor associated with said pretreatment reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for recovering and reusing energy when processing materials with reactive fluids. More particularly, disclosed are methods and apparatuses for recovering and reusing energy from processes in which materials comprising polymers and/or oligomers are treated with a reactive fluid.