Abstract: In a process for recovering acetic acid from a wood extract, an aqueous wood extract is provided that contains acetic acid and dissolved hemicellulose containing uronic acid. A water insoluble solvent containing an extractant for the acetic acid is also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the solvent is undecane and the extractant is trioctylphosphine oxide. The wood extract is contacted with the solvent and extractant in order to extract the acetic acid from the wood extract. The acetic acid is then recovered from the solvent and extractant.

Abstract: A method of treating a solvent in a wood processing operation is described. A first organic compound is extracted from an aqueous solution with a solvent. Then, the solvent is contacted with an alkali solution to remove a second organic compound from the solvent. For example, the first organic compound may be acetic acid and the second organic compound may be lignin. In another embodiment, a liquid-liquid extraction solvent used to extract acetic acid from an aqueous solution is rejuvenated by contacting the solvent with an alkali solution to remove a second organic compound from the solvent. The rejuvenated solvent is then recycled for further liquid-liquid extraction.

Abstract: A process for upgrading an organic acid includes neutralizing the organic acid to form a salt and thermally decomposing the resulting salt to form an energy densified product. In certain embodiments, the organic acid is levulinic acid. The process may further include upgrading the energy densified product by conversion to alcohol and subsequent dehydration.

Abstract: In a process for recovering acetic acid from a wood extract, an aqueous wood extract is provided that contains acetic acid and dissolved hemicellulose containing uronic acid. A water insoluble solvent containing an extractant for the acetic acid is also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the solvent is undecane and the extractant is trioctylphosphine oxide. The wood extract is contacted with the solvent and extractant in order to extract the acetic acid from the wood extract. The acetic acid is then recovered from the solvent and extractant.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing lactic acid comprising fermenting sugars derived from biomass using sugar consuming bacteria to produce lactic acid. In certain embodiments, the biomass is woody biomass, and the bacteria are pentose consuming bacteria such as Bacillus coagulans.

Abstract: A process for upgrading an organic acid includes neutralizing the organic acid to form a salt and thermally decomposing the resulting salt to form an energy densified product. In certain embodiments, the organic acid is levulinic acid. The process may further include upgrading the energy densified product by conversion to alcohol and subsequent dehydration.