Abstract: A process is described for producing 1,3-butanediol, wherein an ester of poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate such as formed by transesterification with an alcohol is reduced by hydrogenation in the presence of a skeletal copper-based catalyst to provide 1,3-butanediol. The 1,3-butanediol may be transesterified by reaction with additional poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate ester to produce (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate.

Abstract: A process is described for producing 1,3-butanediol, wherein an ester of poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate such as formed by transesterification with an alcohol is reduced by hydrogenation in the presence of a skeletal copper-based catalyst to provide 1,3-butanediol. The 1,3-butanediol may be transesterified by reaction with additional poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate ester to produce (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses processes for treating, producing, or producing and treating biodiesel. Products produced with the various processes of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: In the process of distilling a polyol product mixture including one or both of a biobased propylene glycol and a biobased ethylene glycol from the reaction of hydrogen with a biobased feed, it has been discovered that undesirable epoxides can form, and the present invention provides means for guarding against their formation, for removing epoxides which do form by particular methods of distilling, and for removing the epoxides from a finished, otherwise commercially acceptable biobased glycol product.

Abstract: In the process of distilling a polyol product mixture including one or both of a biobased propylene glycol and a biobased ethylene glycol from the reaction of hydrogen with a biobased feed, it has been discovered that undesirable epoxides can form, and the present invention provides means for guarding against their formation, for removing epoxides which do form by particular methods of distilling, and for removing the epoxides from a finished, otherwise commercially acceptable biobased glycol product.

Abstract: In the process of distilling a polyol product mixture including one or both of a biobased propylene glycol and a biobased ethylene glycol from the reaction of hydrogen with a biobased feed, it has been discovered that undesirable epoxides can form, and the present invention provides means for guarding against their formation, for removing epoxides which do form by particular methods of distilling, and for removing the epoxides from a finished, otherwise commercially acceptable biobased glycol product.

Abstract: Methods of making reduced derivatives of hydroxymethyl furfural using metal catalysts are described. The derivatives may have tetrahydrofuran or furan nucleus with alkoxymethyl ether or ester moieties on the 5? carbon and methanol on the 2? carbon. Suitable metal catalyst include Raney nickel, a nickel catalyst with a zirconium promoter, a chromite catalyst with a barium, a palladium catalyst, such as palladium on carbon, or a ruthenium catalyst. Also provided are a new class of compounds, which are n-alkoxy hexane diols (i.e., 1,2 or 1,5 hexane diol ethers) and methods of making the same by reduction of furan or tetrahydrofuran derivatives.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing bioderived dipropylene and tripropylene glycols without using propylene oxide. The method utilizes a bioderived (mono)propylene glycol as a feed, and in one embodiment performs an acid-catalyzed condensation process to convert the bioderived propylene glycol to products including at least dipropylene glycol and preferably including tripropylene glycol as well. Wholly biobased dipropylene glycol and tripropylene glycol products and derivative products made therefrom are described, with compositions of matter including the wholly biobased dipropylene glycol and tripropylene glycol or a derivative thereof and describing uses of the various wholly biobased products or of the compositions including the wholly biobased products. Biobased polypropylene glycols may be made in the same manner.

Abstract: In the process of distilling a polyol product mixture including one or both of a biobased propylene glycol and a biobased ethylene glycol from the reaction of hydrogen with a biobased feed, it has been discovered that undesirable epoxides can form, and the present invention provides means for guarding against their formation, for removing epoxides which do form by particular methods of distilling, and for removing the epoxides from a finished, otherwise commercially acceptable biobased glycol product.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the efficient fractionation of lignocellulosic biomasses into cellulosic, hemicellulosic and lignin fractions, wherein concentrated organic acid vapors are applied to the biomass at elevated temperatures at the location(s) or near the location(s) where the biomass has been harvested and gathered, to at least partly depolymerize or substantially solubilize the hemicelluloses and lignins in the biomass. The organic acid-treated biomass is in either case then dried and pelletized for extended bulk storage and/or for shipment to a second facility some distance away. The organic acid-treated biomass may be processed into desired chemicals, fuels and/or fuel additives at the local processing site or at a second facility away from the local processing site, or the pelletized material may be used as a ruminant feed locally or at a feedlot some distance removed from the local processing site.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing sugars using a combination of acids to hydrolyze hemicellulosic and cellulosic materials in biomass, said combination of acids namely comprising a first, weak organic acid (such as acetic acid or formic acid) for providing a pentose product or stream from hydrolyzing hemicellulosic materials in the biomass on a batchwise, semi-continuous or continuous basis, and a second, strong mineral acid (such as sulfuric acid) for providing a hexose product or stream from hydrolyzing cellulosic materials in the biomass.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the efficient fractionation of lignocellulosic biomasses into cellulosic, hemicellulosic and lignin fractions, wherein concentrated organic acid vapors are applied to the biomass at elevated temperatures at the location(s) or near the location(s) where the biomass has been harvested and gathered, to at least partly depolymerize or substantially solubilize the hemicelluloses and lignins in the biomass. The organic acid-treated biomass is in either case then dried and pelletized for extended bulk storage and/or for shipment to a second facility some distance away. The organic acid-treated biomass may be processed into desired chemicals, fuels and/or fuel additives at the local processing site or at a second facility away from the local processing site, or the pelletized material may be used as a ruminant feed locally or at a feedlot some distance removed from the local processing site.

Abstract: Methods of making reduced derivatives of hydroxymethyl furfural using metal catalysts are described. The derivatives may have tetrahydrofuran or furan nucleus with alkoxymethyl ether or ester moieties on the 5? carbon and methanol on the 2? carbon. Suitable metal catalyst include Raney nickel, a nickel catalyst with a zirconium promoter, a chromite catalyst with a barium, a palladium catalyst, such as palladium on carbon, or a ruthenium catalyst. Also provided are a new class of compounds, which are n-alkoxy hexane diols (i.e., 1,2 or 1,5 hexane diol ethers) and methods of making the same by reduction of furan or tetrahydrofuran deivatives.

Abstract: Petroleum products comprising biologically based carbon are provided. A biologically based surfactant is added to petroleum and an emulsion composition having lower viscosity than the petroleum is formed. The petroleum is subjected to processing and the surfactant is co-processed with the petroleum to provide petroleum products comprising biologically based carbon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to aqueous coating compositions, such as paints, containing a film-forming latex polymer and a reactive surfactant and/or a low VOC humectant. The reactive surfactant, a polyglycerol ester or ether of an unsaturated fatty acid, reduces or eliminates the need for traditional water-soluble additives that lower the water resistance of the dry coating. Additionally, the reactive surfactants of the invention are capable of oxidative cross-linking during the curing process, forming a dry film that is more durable and water-resistant than traditional latex paint composition. The low VOC humectant polyglycerol, isosorbide, or a derivative of isosorbide can replace at least in part traditional humectants such as propylene glycol which contribute to VOCs, while maintaining an effective open time for application of the aqueous coating compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents materials comprising hydrogenated and/or partially hydrogenated polymerized vegetable oils. Non-limiting applications of the polymerized oils, including coatings, binders, blends, and greases are presented. Methods for forming these materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to aqueous coating compositions, such as paints, containing a film-forming latex polymer and a reactive surfactant and/or a low VOC humectant. The reactive surfactant, a polyglycerol ester or ether of an unsaturated fatty acid, reduces or eliminates the need for traditional water-soluble additives that lower the water resistance of the dry coating. Additionally, the reactive surfactants of the invention are capable of oxidative cross-linking during the curing process, forming a dry film that is more durable and water-resistant than traditional latex paint composition. The low VOC humectant polyglycerol, isosorbide, or a derivative of isosorbide can replace at least in part traditional humectants such as propylene glycol which contribute to VOCs, while maintaining an effective open time for application of the aqueous coating compositions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising, consisting of or alternatively consisting essentially of a stabilized furfural or glycol ester of a vegetable oil fatty acid and an antioxidant such as butylated hydroxy toluene. This invention also relates to latex film-forming compositions containing stabilized furfural or glycol esters, such as a stabilized propylene glycol monoester (PGME) mixture. This invention is also directed to methods of stabilizing furfural or glycol esters of a vegetable fatty acid by contacting the esters with an antioxidant such as butylated hydroxy toluene. This invention also includes methods of preparing film-forming compositions comprising a stabilized furfural or glycol ester, such as the stabilized PGME mixture disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents materials comprising hydrogenated and/or partially hydrogenated polymerized vegetable oils. Non-limiting applications of the polymerized oils, including coatings, binders, blends, and greases are presented. Methods for forming these materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents materials comprising hydrogenated and/or partially hydrogenated polymerized vegetable oils. Non-limiting applications of the polymerized oils, including coatings, binders, blends, and greases are presented. Methods for forming these materials are also disclosed.