Abstract: A method of hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treating biomass is provided. Lignocellulosic biomass solids is provided to a hydrothermal digestion unit in the presence of a digestive solvent, at least one of ammonia or a source of ammonia, and a supported hydrogenolysis catalyst containing (a) sulfur, (b) Mo or W, and (c) Co, Ni or mixture thereof, incorporated into a suitable support. The lignocellulosic biomass solids and digestive solvent are heated in the presence of hydrogen, supported hydrogenolysis catalyst and the at least one of ammonia or a source of ammonia forming a product solution containing plurality of oxygenated hydrocarbons and ammonia. At least a portion of ammonia is separated and recycled to the hydrothermal digestion unit.

Abstract: Hydrothermal digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may produce a glycol reaction product for subsequent processing.

Abstract: Hydrothermal digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be conducted such that a glycol reaction product is formed for subsequent processing. Processing of a glycol reaction product may include a drying operation conducted prior to condensation of the glycol reaction product into higher molecular weight compounds. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids to form a glycol reaction product can comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids and a slurry catalyst in a hydrothermal digestion unit, the slurry catalyst being capable of activating molecular hydrogen; heating the cellulosic biomass solids in the hydrothermal digestion unit in the presence of the slurry catalyst, a digestion solvent, and molecular hydrogen, thereby forming a liquor phase comprising soluble carbohydrates; and performing a first catalytic reduction reaction on the soluble carbohydrates within the hydrothermal digestion unit, thereby at least partially converting the soluble carbohydrates into a reaction product comprising a glycol.

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 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: 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 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 a glycol 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; combining the glycol with the phenolics liquid phase, thereby forming a combined phase; and heating the combined phase in the presence of molecular hydrogen; wherein heating the combined phase reduces the viscosity of the phenolics liquid phase and transforms at least a portion of the glycol into a monohydric alcohol.

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: 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; combining at least the phenolics liquid phase and the aqueous phase with one another, thereby forming a combined phase; and separating at least a portion of the alcoholic component from at least a portion of the combined phase.

Abstract: A method of hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treating biomass is provided. Lignocellulosic biomass is treated with a digestive solvent to form a pretreated biomass containing soluble carbohydrates. The pretreated biomass is contacted, with hydrogen at a temperature in the range of 150° C. to less than 300° C. in the presence of a pH buffering agent and a supported hydrogenolysis catalyst containing (a) sulfur, (b) Mo or W, and (c) Co, Ni or mixture thereof, incorporated into a suitable support, to form a plurality of oxygenated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A sulfidable catalyst containing at least one metal or metal oxide is sulfided under aqueous conditions.

Abstract: A method comprises a providing a carbohydrate; reacting the carbohydrate directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising a polyol; and then processing at least a portion of the reaction product to form a fuel blend.