Abstract: A method of extending the catalyst life of a hydrogenolysis catalyst activity in the presence of biomass and aqueous solution is described. Lignocellulosic biomass solids and aqueous solution is provided to in a hydrothermal digestion unit in the presence of a digestive solvent, and a supported hydrogenolysis catalyst containing (a) sulfur, (b) Mo or W, and (c) Co, Ni or mixture thereof, incorporated into a solid metal oxide support. The lignocellulosic biomass solids in the hydrothermal digestion unit is heated to a temperature in the range of 180° C. to less than 300° C. in the presence of digestive solvent, hydrogen, and in the range of 0.15 wt. % to 12.5 wt. %, based on catalyst, of H2S or H2S source at least partially soluble in aqueous solution, and the supported hydrogenolysis catalyst forming a product solution containing plurality of oxygenated hydrocarbons, the hydrothermal digestion unit maintaining protective sulfur concentration.

Abstract: A bottom fraction of a product of a hydrocatalytic reaction is gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions. In one embodiment, one or more volatile organic compounds is also vaporized using heat generated in the gasification process. In one embodiment, an overhead fraction of the hydrocatalytic reaction is further processed to generate higher molecular weight compounds. In another embodiment, a product of the further processing is separated into a bottom fraction and an overhead fraction, where the bottom fraction is also gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions.

Abstract: A bottom fraction of a product of a hydrocatalytic reaction is gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions. In one embodiment, an overhead fraction of the hydrocatalytic reaction is further processed to generate higher molecular weight compounds. In another embodiment, a product of the further processing is separated into a bottom fraction and an overhead fraction, where the bottom fraction is also gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass to produce a hydrolysate may be accompanied by the formation of cellulosic fines which may be damaging to system components. Biomass conversion systems that may address the issue of cellulosic fines may comprise a fluid circulation loop comprising: a hydrothermal digestion unit; a solids separation unit that is in fluid communication with an outlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit; where the solids separation unit comprises a plurality of filters and the filters are in fluid communication with the fluid circulation loop in both a forward and a reverse flow direction; and a catalytic reduction reactor unit that is in fluid communication with an outlet of the solids separation unit and an inlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit; where at least one of the plurality of filters is in fluid communication with an inlet of the catalytic reduction reactor unit.

Abstract: A selective removal of metal and its anion species that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for promoting hydrogen gas distribution within cellulosic biomass solids during hydrothermal digestion. On exemplary method can comprise: heating a first portion of cellulosic biomass solids being contacted by a continuous liquid phase and a second portion of cellulosic biomass solids being contacted by a continuous gas phase in the presence of an upwardly directed flow of molecular hydrogen and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen in the continuous liquid phase; conveying at least a portion of the continuous liquid phase and at least a portion of the slurry catalyst to a location within the continuous gas phase above at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass solids; and after conveying the continuous liquid phase and the slurry catalyst, releasing them such that they contact the second portion of cellulosic biomass solids.

Abstract: Methods and systems for promoting hydrogen gas distribution within cellulosic biomass solids during hydrothermal digestion. One exemplary method can comprise providing cellulosic biomass solids in a hydrothermal digestion unit in the presence of a digestion solvent and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen; and heating the cellulosic biomass solids and the digestion solvent in the presence of molecular hydrogen, thereby forming an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, at least a portion of the molecular hydrogen being introduced to the hydrothermal digestion unit via a plurality of spaced apart fluid inlets vertically disposed about the height of the hydrothermal digestion unit.

Abstract: A selective removal of metal and its anion species that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: heating cellulosic biomass solids and a digestion solvent in the presence of molecular hydrogen and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, thereby forming a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase, the slurry catalyst being distributed in the cellulosic biomass solids and at least a portion of the slurry catalyst accumulating in the phenolics liquid phase as it forms; conveying at least a portion of the phenolics liquid phase and the slurry catalyst to a location above at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass solids; and after conveying the phenolics liquid phase and the slurry catalyst, releasing them such that they come in contact with the cellulosic biomass solids.

Abstract: A selective removal of chlorine and phosphorus that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass in a manner that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided.

Abstract: A method to produce biofuels from biomass is provide by contacting the biomass with an aqueous media to form an extracted biomass, separating at least a portion of an aqueous liquor from the extracted biomass thereby providing the aqueous liquor stream comprising soluble carbohydrates; contacting the aqueous liquor stream with a purification substrate effective to remove sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds thereby producing a treated carbohydrate stream having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of the untreated aqueous liquor feed, based on the untreated aqueous liquor stream, then contacting the treated carbohydrate stream directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates; and processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by lignin release therefrom, which can produce a highly viscous phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids in the presence of a digestion solvent, molecular hydrogen, and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen; at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase; wherein at least a portion of the slurry catalyst accumulates in the phenolics liquid phase as it forms; and reducing the viscosity of the phenolics liquid phase.

Abstract: A method for digesting cellulosic biomass solids in a hydrothermal digestion unit comprises providing a reactor, a gas feed line, a system for feeding biomass into the reactor, a fluid circulation system including a fluid inlet, pump, and injector; providing a digestion medium containing a slurry catalyst in the digestion unit; circulating the digestion medium through the circulation system; supplying an upward flow of hydrogen through the biomass solids; and maintaining the biomass solids and catalyst at a temperature sufficient to cause digestion of cellulosic biomass solids into an alcoholic component; wherein the fluid inlet includes a stinger unit having an upper surface, an inner volume in communication with the catalyst circulation system, and an opening in the upper surface for allowing fluid to enter the inner volume; and allowing digestion medium to flow into the catalyst circulation system via the catalyst stinger.

Abstract: A method comprises introducing biomass solids to a digester comprising a reactor, a circulation system including a first injector; providing a catalyst-containing digestion medium and an organic solvent layer floating thereon; circulating the medium through the circulation system; flowing gas through the medium; keeping the medium hot enough to digest the solids; and operating the digester such a headspace exists above the solvent. The digester includes a first eductor having an inlet in the headspace, a second eductor having an inlet in the organic layer, and a downdraft tube having an inlet in the digestion medium. A motive fluid flowing from the first injector draws gas from the headspace into the first eductor, a motive fluid flowing from the first eductor draws fluid from the organic layer into the second eductor, and a motive fluid flowing from the second eductor draws fluid from the digestion medium into the downdraft tube.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids in a digestion solvent; at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase; and separating the phenolics liquid phase from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids in a digestion solvent; at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase; and separating the phenolics liquid phase from the aqueous phase, at least partially depolymerizing the lignin in the phenolics liquid phase, wherein at least partially depolymerizing the lignin generates hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by lignin release therefrom, which can produce a highly viscous phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer. Systems for processing a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer may comprise: a hydrothermal digestion unit; a viscosity measurement device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit; a temperature control device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit; and a processing device communicatively coupled to the viscosity measurement device and the temperature control device, the processing device being configured to actuate the temperature control device if the viscosity of a fluid phase comprising lignin exceeds a threshold value in the biomass conversion system.

Abstract: A process for the production of a higher hydrocarbon useful to produce diesel components from solid biomass is provided. The process provides for improved production of diesel components by contacting the stable oxygenated hydrocarbon intermediate containing diols produced from digestion and hydrodoxygenation of the solid biomass to an amorphous silica alumina catalyst to reduce the diols content, and removing water prior to contacting with the condensation catalyst to produce the higher hydrocarbon.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of a higher hydrocarbon from solid biomass is provided. Solid biomass that has been digested and hydrodeoxygenated in a liquid digestive solvent in the presence of a hydrothermal hydrocatalytic catalyst is separated to an organic rich phase and an aqueous rich phase containing diols. At least a portion of the aqueous rich phase is contacted with an acidic amorphous silica alumina catalyst producing monooxygenate-containing stream comprising water, organic monooxygenates, and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons. At least a portion of the monooxygenate-containing stream is contacted with a solid acid condensation catalyst to produce a higher hydrocarbons stream. At least a portion of the organic rich phase is also contacted with a solid acid condensation catalyst to produce a higher hydrocarbons stream.

Abstract: A process for the production of a higher hydrocarbon useful as gasoline component from solid biomass is provided. The process provides for longer ZSM-5 condensation catalyst life by contacting the stable oxygenated hydrocarbon intermediate containing diols produced from digestion and hydrodoxygenation of the solid biomass to an amorphous silica alumina catalyst to reduce the diols content, and optionally removing water, prior to contacting with the ZSM-5 condensation catalyst.