Abstract: A process for making furfural, derivatives of furfural, or both from biomass is described. The biomass feed is optionally conditioned to obtain a moisture content of 25 wt % or less. The biomass feed is ground to form particles having a particle size in a range of 0.02 mm to 7 mm with 5 wt % or less being 75 microns or less, and an average aspect ratio of 0.4 or more. The ground biomass feed is blanketed with an inert gas having an oxidant or oxygen content of 5 mol % or less. The ground biomass feed is reacted in the presence of water, a water-immiscible organic solvent, and an acid catalyst to form a reaction product mixture comprising furfural, derivatives of furfural, or both.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a solid carbonaceous material includes heating the solid carbonaceous material in the presence of a catalyst under partial pyrolysis conditions and obtaining an upgraded solid carbonaceous product, a gaseous product, and a spent catalyst.

Abstract: A method for producing usable product in a reactor including introducing a viscous mixture including usable product and unconverted reactant into a chamber of a housing through an inlet, wherein the mixture has a temperature greater than ambient temperature when introduced into the chamber; heating the viscous mixture in the chamber using at least one of an induction heater, an exothermic reaction, a microwave heater, a radio frequency heater, an electrical resistance heater, a laser heater, a plasma heater, and a heated fluid; converting at least a portion of the unconverted reactant to usable product, wherein at least a portion of the usable product is produced in the viscous mixture; and transferring the viscous mixture including usable product from the housing through an outlet.

Abstract: A method for producing usable product in a reactor including introducing a viscous mixture including usable product and unconverted reactant into a chamber of a housing through an inlet, wherein the mixture has a temperature greater than ambient temperature when introduced into the chamber; heating the viscous mixture in the chamber using at least one of an induction heater, an exothermic reaction, a microwave heater, a radio frequency heater, an electrical resistance heater, a laser heater, a plasma heater, and a heated fluid; converting at least a portion of the unconverted reactant to usable product, wherein at least a portion of the usable product is produced in the viscous mixture; and transferring the viscous mixture including usable product from the housing through an outlet.