Abstract: A process for the production of ethanol from biomass is disclosed. The process relates to the pretreatment of corncob biomass and includes the steps of exposing corncob to steam in a reaction vessel at an elevated temperature and reaction pressure for a preselected exposure time. Volatile compounds are continuously vented during pretreatment. The reaction pressure is released for explosive decomposition of the corncob biomass into fibrous solids and condensate. The exposure is preferably carried out at a temperature of 190-210° C. and a pressure of 190 psig to 275 psig and an exposure time of 3 to 10 minutes.

Abstract: A method and system for hydrolyzing cellulose and/or hemicellulose contained in a biomass into monosaccharides and oligosaccharides by using high-temperature and high-pressure water in a subcritical condition is provided. In hydrolyzing cellulose or hemicellulose into saccharides by using high-temperature and high-pressure water in a subcritical condition, a large amount of slurry is cooled into a condition below the subcritical condition by subjecting the slurry contained in a pressure vessel under a high-temperature and high-pressure condition to flash evaporation in a pressure vessel charged with a slurry of a cellulosic biomass and heated halfway. It is possible to prevent saccharides from degrading into organic acids and to save energy by recovery of thermal energy. The cellulosic biomass is charged into a water-permeable vessel and then the water-permeable vessel is encapsulated into the pressure vessel together with water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing xylitol using a hydrolysate containing xylose and arabinose prepared from byproducts of tropical fruit biomass and more precisely, a method of producing xylitol which includes the steps of producing xylose and arabinose by the pretreatment of tropical fruit biomass byproducts including coconut shell, palm shell and oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) via acid (0.2-5%) hydrolysis and an electrodialysis and an ionic purification; and producing xylitol with high yield based on repeated batch fermentation using a hydrolysate containing xylose and arabinose as a carbon source. In addition, the present invention relates to an active carbon produced by carbonization and activation of a hydrolysate remainder of a tropical fruit shell, the byproduct of xylose and arabinose production, at a certain temperature and a preparation method of the same.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a novel catalyst for the hydrolysis of cellulose, which does not require the use of a large quantity of sulfuric acid for the preparation thereof and from which sulfuric acid cannot be eluted; a novel catalyst for the hydrolysis of cellulose, which is not changed in structure even in hot water and therefore does not undergo the deterioration in activity; and a process for producing a cellulose hydrolysate, mainly including glucose, using any one of the aforementioned catalysts.

Abstract: A hydrolysis system comprising: (a) a reactor vessel including a sprinkler at an upper portion thereof and a drain; (b) a pump re-circulating a flow of an acidic reaction liquid from a selected height in said vessel to said sprinkler; (c) an acid supply mechanism delivering a supply of HCl at a concentration?39% to a lower portion of said reactor vessel; and (d) a flow splitter diverting a portion of the acidic reaction liquid so that a level of liquid in the vessel remains in a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method for recovering inorganic salt during processing of a lignocellulosic feedstock is provided. The method comprises pretreating the lignocellulosic feedstock by adding an acid to the feedstock to produce a pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock. A soluble base is then added to the pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock to adjust the pH and produce a neutralized feedstock. The neutralized feedstock is then enzymatically hydrolyzed to produce an enzyme hydrolyzed feedstock and a sugar stream. Inorganic salt is recovered from either a stream obtained from the lignocellulosic feedstock prior to the step of pretreating, a stream obtained from the pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock, a stream obtained from the neutralized feedstock, a stream obtained from the sugar stream, or a combination of these streams. The inorganic salt may be concentrated, clarified, recovered and purified by crystallization, electrodialysis drying, or agglomeration and granulation, and then used as desired, for example as a fertilizer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single step hydrolytic process for the conversion of lignocellulose, into value added chemicals wherein said process is catalyzed by at least one heterogeneous solid acid catalyst selected from a group comprising of zeolites, zeolites with Si/metal, mesoporous silica, oxides and phosphates, clays, ion-exchange resins, heteropolyacids, various sulfates, phosphates, selenates, crystalline materials and amorphous materials.

Abstract: A method including: (a) contacting lime with an extract including an S1 solvent carrying a contaminant load to form a lime treated extract; and (b) reducing the contaminant load by removing solids.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for catalytic deconstruction of biomass using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and biomimetic catalysts useful for hydrolyzing glucose polymers, such as cellulose, and oligomers, such as cellobiose, to glucose for the subsequent production of ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing alcohol from a cellulosic material, said process comprising: hydrolyzing said cellulosic material with an aqueous acid to produce a hydrolysate; extracting acid and water from said hydrolysate with a water-miscible organic extraction solvent to yield (a) a first aqueous acidic solution containing said extraction solvent and (b) a residue containing sugars; subjecting said residue to an oligosaccharide cleavage reaction to yield an aqueous solution of fermentable sugars; fermenting said fermentable sugars and distilling alcohol from the resulting fermented mixture; contacting said first aqueous acidic solution with a water-immiscible liquid lipophilic solvent to yield a second aqueous acid solution and a solvent mixture of said extraction solvent and said liquid solvent; separating said solvent mixture to yield extraction solvent for recycling; and separating from said second aqueous acid solution an aqueous acid for recycling.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating, pre-treating, preparing and conveying a cellulosic feedstock, such as for ethanol production, are disclosed. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for treating a cellulosic feedstock by mixing and heating the cellulosic feedstock and/or by moistening and heating the cellulosic feedstock. The invention also relates to a holding tank, and a method of utilizing the holding tank whereby bridging may be reduced or eliminated and may result in a product stream from autohydrolysis or hydrolysis having an improved yield. The invention further relates to methods and apparatus for obtaining and conveying a cellulosic feedstock, which may be used for the subsequent production of a fermentable sugar stream from the cellulose and hemicellulose in the cellulosic feedstock wherein the fermentable sugar stream may be used for subsequent ethanol production.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for completely dissolving and rapidly hydrolyzing cellulose, and uses thereof. Cellulose is placed in an acidic aqueous solution with a [H+] concentration of 10?7˜1 M or an alkaline aqueous solution with a [OH?] concentration of 10?7˜1 M as sample A, wherein the volume ratio of solid to liquid is (0.003˜1.05):1. The acidic aqueous solution with a [H+] concentration of 10?7˜1 M or the alkaline aqueous solution with a [OH?] concentration of 10?7˜1 M is heated up to 261˜352 as sample B. Sample A and sample B obtained from step 1 and step 2 are mixed in a reactor to a concentration of cellulose of 0.1%˜35%, the concentration of the mixed solution is adjusted to an acidity of 10?7˜1 M [H+] or an alkalinity of 10?7˜1 M [OH?], and a water density of 587˜997 kg/m3, pressure is set at 6˜584 MPa. The mixture is rapidly heated up to 261˜352 at heating rate of 7.8˜14.8 /s, and then cellulose is dissolved completely in 0.8˜2 sec and hydrolyzed in 5 sec.

Abstract: The process for the hydrolysis of ligno-cellulosic biomass comprises the steps of A) Contacting a ligno-cellulosic feedstock, the feedstock comprised of biomass having a dry content and water with at least a portion of a solvent, the solvent comprised of water soluble hydrolyzed species; wherein at least some of the water soluble hydrolyzed species are the same as the water soluble hydrolyzed species obtainable from the hydrolysis of the biomass in the feedstock; B) maintaining the contact between the feedstock of the feedstock stream and the solvent at a temperature in the range of 20° C. to 200° C. for a time in the range of 5 minutes to 72 hours to create a hydrolyzed product from the biomass in the feedstock.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for conversion of cellulosic material, such as chopped straw and corn stover, and household waste, to ethanol and other products. The cellulosic material is subjected to continuous hydrothermal pre-treatment without addition of chemicals, and a liquid and a fiber fraction are produced. The fiber fraction is subjected to enzymatic liquefaction and saccharification. The method of the present invention comprises: performing the hydrothermal pre-treatment by subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one soaking operation, and conveying the cellulosic material through at least one pressurized reactor, and subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one pressing operation, creating a fiber fraction and a liquid fraction; selecting the temperature and residence time for the hydrothermal pretreatment, so that the fibrous structure of the feedstock is maintained and at least 80% of the lignin is maintained in the fiber fraction.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the hydrolysis of cellulose comprising the sequential steps (a) mixing cellulose with a viscosity below 900 ml/g with an aqueous solution to obtain a liquid, wherein particles comprising cellulose in said liquid have a diameter of maximum 200 nm, wherein the temperature of the aqueous solution is below 35° C., and wherein the pH of the aqueous solution is above 12, (b) subjecting the liquid to at least one of the steps: (i) decreasing the pH of the liquid with at least 1 pH unit and (ii) increasing the temperature by at least 20° C., and (c) hydrolyzing the cellulose. Moreover there is disclose glucose manufactured according to the method and ethanol manufactured from the glucose. Advantages include that the cellulose is hydrolyzed faster and to a greater extent after the treatment. The yield is increased.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for reducing costs and increasing yields of cellulosic ethanol are disclosed herein, along with plants genetically transformed for increased biomass, expression of lignocellulolytic enzyme polypeptides, and/or simplification of harvesting and downstream processing. Methods for processing biomass from these transgenic plants that involve less severe and/or less expensive pre-treatment protocols than are typically employed are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of water-soluble cellulose hydrolysis products, which comprises admixing cellulose with an ionic liquid capable of solvating or dissolving at least some of the cellulose, said ionic liquid being a compound comprised solely of cations and anions and which exists in a liquid state at a temperature at or below 15O° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing minerals from a cellulosic biomass. For example, the biomass may be prewashed with an acid solution and rinsed with water to remove minerals prior to acid saccharification. The removal of minerals may reduce overall acid requirements, and decrease pretreatment costs.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering hemicellulose from Arundo donax comprising extracting a hemicellulose containing fraction from an Arundo donax biomass, purifying the hemicellulose containing fraction to remove lignin and other extractives, concentrating the purified hemicellulose containing fraction, and hydrolyzing the concentrated and purified hemicellulose containing fraction to yield 5 and 6 carbon sugars.

Abstract: Methods are provided for preparing a hydrolysate containing soluble sugar molecules from biomass that contains cellulose and hemicellulose. Hemicellulose sugars are extracted in the process, and the resulting hydrolysate may be used to support microbial fermentation to produce products of interest.

Abstract: A pretreatment method for saccharification of plant fiber materials includes: immersing the plant fiber material in a solution that contains an organic solvent, in which a cluster acid is dissolved, prior to saccharifying cellulose contained in the plant fiber material; and distilling off the organic solvent from the immersed plant fiber material to obtain a pretreated mixture that contains the cluster acid and the pretreated plant fiber material.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of water-soluble cellulose hydrolysis products The process comprises admixing cellulose with an ionic liquid capable of solvating or dissolving at least some of the cellulose, said ionic liquid being a compound comprised solely of cations and anions and which exists in a liquid state at a temperature at or below 15O° C., and in which the anions are selected from sulfate, hydrogen sulfate and nitrate; and treating the resulting solvate or solution with an acid in the presence of water, said acid having a pKa in water of less than 2 at 25° C.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting C5 sugars including pentose and/or C6 sugars including hexose from a slurry of cellulosic material comprising cellulose, water, and optionally acid.

Abstract: The instant invention pertains to the use of formic acid in new processes for treating feedstocks comprising holocellulose, as well as, new compositions suitable for, for example, bioalcohol production. The processes may comprise first mixing the feedstock with an aqueous acid solution comprising formic acid and then producing a hydrolysis product comprising monosaccharides and water-soluble oligosaccharides. The compositions typically comprise a feedstock comprising holocellulose and an aqueous acid solution comprising formic acid. Advantageously, the processes and compositions of the present invention may be used in more environmentally friendly, cost-efficient production of fuels.

Abstract: Provided are methods for the solubilization of cellulose into soluble sugars without the need for high temperatures, high pressures, strong acid solutions, and/or added water. The produced sugars can be fermented into ethanol. In one embodiment, the method comprises contacting a cellulose-containing material with a solid acid material and agitating the cellulose-containing material and the solid acid material for a time sufficient to produce an aqueous solution comprising a quantity of soluble sugars.

Abstract: A system has been developed for pretreating cellulosic biomass feed stock including: a first pressurized reactor receiving the feed stock, wherein the feed stock undergoes hydrolysis in the first pressurized reactor; a sealing device having a first pressurized coupling to a feedstock discharge port of the first pressurized reactor, and a second pressurized coupling to a second pressurized reactor; a drain for a liquid including dissolved hemi-cellulosic material extracted from the feed stock in at least one of the first pressurized reactor and the sealing and extraction device; the second pressurized reactor assembly receiving the pressurized feed stock from the sealing device at a pressure substantially greater than the pressure in the first pressurized reactor, wherein cells of the feed stock are infused with water in the second pressurized reactor, and an expansion device downstream of the second pressurized reactor assembly, wherein the expansion device rapidly releases the pressure of the feed stock disc

Abstract: A method for recovering sulfuric acid from concentrated acid hydrolysate of plant cellulose material is disclosed. In some of the examples, the concentrated acid hydrolysate is mixed with a liquid organic precipitant, with the sugars in the hydrolysate being precipitated and separated out. The remainder is sulfuric acid and an organic solvent solution. The organic solvent is then separated by distillation or extraction, thereby obtaining the pure sulfuric acid solution. This precipitation method can recover above 90% sugars and acids with a small amount of organic precipitant, which greatly reduces the recovery cost.

Abstract: A process for refining and producing cellulose, lignin and xylose from biomass material comprises the following steps: pulverizing and screening the biomass material; and then dipping the biomass material in organic acid with lower boiling point and decomposing it into xylose, xylo-oligosaccharide, cellulose and lignin to make the biomass material fluidify; cooling the fluidified biomass material after finishing the reaction, adding organic solvent, and mixing uniformly and standing; separating, washing and drying the precipitation to obtain amorphous cellulose after precipitating; distilling the mother solution of precipitation of cellulose and recovering the organic acid and the resulting volatile organic substance; standing the distilled mother solution after cooling, and then separating, washing and drying the precipitation to obtain xylose and xylo-oligosaccharide after precipitating; distilling and recovering the organic solvent in the mother solution of precipitation of xylose and xylo-oligosaccharide,

Abstract: The present invention is a process for treating a feedstock comprising holocellulose. The process comprises mixing the feedstock with a solution comprising cellulose binding domains to form a mixture. The mixture is then subjected to conditions sufficient to reduce the crystallinity of holocellulose. Subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis may show an improved rate and/or fermentable sugar yield as compared to processes which do not employ the process.

Abstract: A sugar liquid containing only very small amounts of fermentation-inhibiting substances is produced by a method for producing a sugar liquid using a cellulose-containing biomass as a raw material, the method including: (1) a step of hydrolyzing a cellulose-containing biomass to produce an aqueous sugar solution; and (2) a step of filtering the obtained aqueous sugar solution through a nanofiltration membrane and/or reverse osmosis membrane to collect a purified sugar liquid from the feed side, while removing fermentation-inhibiting substances from the permeate side.

Abstract: A process of producing fermentation product comprising, forming an acidified suspension of particulate plant derived material comprising a first polysaccharide which is more readily hydrolysable and a second polysaccharide which is more difficult to hydrolyse; allowing the first polysaccharide to undergo hydrolysis under conditions such that the first polysaccharide is hydrolysed, thereby forming a mixture of an aqueous liquor containing dissolved sugar and a solid residue containing the second polysaccharide; subjecting the acidic mixture to one or more separation stages in which the solid residue and aqueous sugar liquor are substantially separated from each other; passing the aqueous liquor to a fermentation stage where the dissolved sugars are acted upon by a microorganism in a broth to produce a fermentation product; and separating the fermentation product from the broth, characterised in that the separation stage uses one or more flocculating agent(s) to form a waste by-product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing xylose from lignocellulosic feedstock. The method comprises disrupting lignocellulosic feedstock; leaching the lignocellulosic feedstock by contacting the feedstock with at least one aqueous solution for a period greater than about 2 minutes to produce a leached feedstock and a leachate; removing the leachate from the leached feedstock; acidifying the leached feedstock to a pH between about 0.5 and about 3 to produce an acidified feedstock, and; reacting the acidified feedstock under conditions which disrupt fiber structure and hydrolyze a portion of hemicellulose and cellulose of the acidified feedstock, to produce a composition comprising xylose and a pretreated feedstock. The xylose may be purified from the pretreated feedstock or it may be converted to ethanol with the pretreated feedstock.

Abstract: Improvements in a process for rapid acid hydrolysis of lignocellulosic material and in a hydrolysis reactor, said lignocellulosic material being fed in different levels of a reactor and contacted with flows of lignin organic solvent, water and an extremely dilute solution of a strong inorganic acid, for obtaining a liquid phase of hydrolysis extract and a solid phase of non-reacted and non-dissolved material. A controlled steam flow is injected into the different levels of the reactor, so as to provide adequate temperatures of organic solvent and strong inorganic acid and forming the desired products (sugars). A flow of the liquid phase is recirculated in different levels of the reactor, the remainder thereof being withdrawn from the reactor, abruptly cooled with the solvent submitted to evaporation to obtain a concentrate. The lignin is transferred by decantation and the concentrate is transferred to subsequent process steps.

Abstract: A reactor for the treatment of lignocellulosic material and related methods. The reactor includes a vessel having an upper portion and a lower portion. A pressure envelope is formed between an outer wall of the vessel and at least one lower wall of the lower portion of the vessel, and the upper portion of the vessel and the pressure envelope are operatively connected with a pressurization line, such that a pressure of the pressure envelope and a pressure of the upper portion may be equalized.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a high-purity aqueous saccharide solution by increasing the collection rate of cluster acid which is a hydrolysis catalyst for cellulose in saccharification and separation for cellulose using a cluster acid catalyst.

Abstract: A fractionation process for producing value-added products from a lignocellulosic biomass, comprises: a) mechanically refining the lignocellulosic biomass under mild refining conditions to form a refined biomass pulp with enhanced susceptibility to separation of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, and enhanced digestibility of carbohydrates in hydrolysis b) separating hemicellulose and sulfur-free high-quality lignin from cellulose in the refined biomass, and, optionally c) producing various bioproducts from the above said process.

Abstract: A method for converting a material comprising lignocellulose or cellulose into a substance convertible with yeast into ethyl alcohol, wherein a mixture comprising 1 part by weight of the material and 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of water is stirred at a temperature of 150 to 270 degrees C. in a vessel closed in terms of pressure in conditions of providing a high shearing force to be pulverized to an average of maximum dimensions of 1 to 20 micrometers, whereby the material is degraded and at least 15% by weight of the cellulose in the material is converted into a substance convertible into ethyl alcohol. It is possible to prepare saccharides for alcohol fermentation from lignocellulose or cellulose by using this method.

Abstract: Non-food plant biomass is subjected to hot-water extraction in a pressurized vessel at an elevated temperature up to about 250° C. and at a pH below about 7.0, to yield an aqueous extract containing hemicellulosic components, other wood-derived compounds, and a lignocellulosic residue. The separated aqueous extract or liquor is purified and concentrated through a multi-step process producing fermentable sugars. At each stage, inhibitory chemicals such as acetic acid, lignin, and furfural are separated and eventually recovered as commercial chemicals. The lignocellulosic residue may be further processed, as a material with enhanced resistance to sorption of water, for manufacture of improved pulp and paper, construction materials, pellet fuel, and/or other useful products.

Abstract: Provided are methods for the pretreatment of ligno-cellulosic biomass such as softwoods with bisulfite such as ammonium bisulfite without the need for exogenous acid. In one variation, a method of pretreating ligno-cellulosic biomass is provided including the following steps: a) providing ligno-cellulosic biomass; b) contacting the ligno-cellulosic biomass with a solution comprising bisulfite at an amount between 1 and 10% of a dry weight of the ligno-cellulosic biomass to form a slurry; c) heating the slurry to a first temperature of 150-210° C. for a first period of time to form a first mixture; d) cooling the first mixture to a second temperature of 100-200° C. to form a second mixture; and e) maintaining the second mixture at the second temperature for a second period of time to form pretreated ligno-cellulosic biomass; wherein the first temperature is higher than the second temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for hydrolyzing the plant fiber material to produce and separate a saccharide including glucose. The method includes a hydrolysis process of hydrolyzing cellulose contained in the plant fiber material and producing glucose in a first organic solvent having a cluster acid catalyst dissolved therein.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fractionating lignocellulosic biomass including hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, including exploding the biomass cells to devolatilize the biomass, hydrolyzing the hemicellulose to produce a liquid component including hemicellulosic sugars and a solid component including less than 10% hemicellulose, separating the liquid and solid components, vaporizing the cellulose in the solid component, and condensing the cellulosic sugar vapors. The methods and systems may vaporize the cellulose in a continuous steam reactor at a temperature of about 400-550° C. and a pressure of about 1-3 bara. Electromagnetic and/or electroaccoustic treatment such as ultrasound and/or microwave treatment may be applied to the biomass immediately before or during cellulose hydrolysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enhanced process for sugar production through the acid hydrolysis of cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials characterized by the treatment of these materials in three steps. In the first step, it is made a digestion of the lignocellulosic material using a solvent capable of partially dissolving the lignin, which constitutes part of the lignocellulosic material. In the second step, the cellulosic material resulting from the treatment with the solvent is subjected to an acid treatment in such conditions that mainly hemicellulose is hydrolyzed to form a sugar solution rich with pentose monomers and oligomers. In the third step, the cellulosic material from the second step is subjected to an acid treatment in such conditions that the major part of the cellulose is hydrolyzed to form a sugar solution rich with hexose monomers and oligomers.

Abstract: A system for pre-treating biomass for the production of ethanol is provided. The system comprises a method for pre-treating biomass. The method comprises supplying biomass to a steaming bin, wherein the biomass is mixed with water, and inputting the steamed biomass to a first pretreatment reactor, wherein the steamed biomass comprises liquids and solids. The method also comprises removing a bulk of liquids from the solids and feeding the solids into a second pretreatment reactor. The method further comprises applying a pressure drop to the solids in the second pretreatment reactor, wherein the pressure drop opens up a structure of the solids, and sending the solids to a fermentation process for ethanol processing.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of biomass to render structural carbohydrates more accessible and/or digestible using concentrated ammonium hydroxide with or without anhydrous ammonia addition, is described. The process preferably uses steam to strip ammonia from the biomass for recycling. The process yields of monosaccharides from the structural carbohydrates are good, particularly as measured by the enzymatic hydrolysis of the structural carbohydrates. The monosaccharides are used as animal feeds and energy sources for ethanol production.

Abstract: A porous cellulose aggregate characterized by having a secondary aggregate structure resulting from aggregation of primary cellulose particles, having a pore volume within a particle of 0.265 to 2.625 cm3/g, containing I-type crystals and having an average particle size of over 30 to 250 ?m, a specific surface area of 0.1 to less than 20 m2/g, a repose angle of 25° to less than 44° and a swelling degree of 5% or more, and characterized by having the property of disintegrating in water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing xylose from lignocellulosic feedstock. The method comprises disrupting lignocellulosic feedstock; leaching the lignocellulosic feedstock by contacting the feedstock with at least one aqueous solution for a period greater than about 2 minutes to produce a leached feedstock and a leachate; removing the leachate from the leached feedstock; acidifying the leached feedstock to a pH between about 0.5 and about 3 to produce an acidified feedstock, and; reacting the acidified feedstock under conditions which disrupt fiber structure and hydrolyze a portion of hemicellulose and cellulose of the acidified feedstock, to produce a composition comprising xylose and a pretreated feedstock. The xylose may be purified from the pretreated feedstock or it may be converted to ethanol with the pretreated feedstock.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide, with regard to a method for lowering the molecular weight of polysaccharides contained in a cellulosic biomass by mixing the cellulosic biomass with ionic liquid, a method for controlling such rate of lowering of molecular weight. Also, a method for producing sugar, alcohol, or organic acid using the controlling method is provided. The method comprises mixing a cellulosic biomass with ionic liquid under an atmosphere with a partial pressure ratio differing from that of air. Under such an atmosphere with oxygen partial pressure higher than that of air, the rate of lowering molecular weight can be increased, and under an atmosphere with nitrogen partial pressure or carbon dioxide partial pressure higher than that of air or a reduced-pressure atmosphere, the rate of lowering molecular weight can be decreased.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a cellulosic feedstock prior to hydrolysis is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressurizable treatment chamber, a mixing and conveyance member configured to deaggregate the cellulosic feedstock and mix the cellulosic feedstock with gas in the upper portion of the chamber, and a heating member. The treatment chamber is at a pressure comparable to the pressure of a downstream hydrolyzer. Additionally, a method is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the fractionation of lignocellulosic materials into reactive chemical feedstock in a batch or semi continuous process by the stepwise treatment with aqueous aliphatic alcohols in the presence of sulfur dioxide or acid. Lignocellulosic material is fractionated in a fashion that cellulose is removed as pulp, or converted to esterified cellulose, cooking chemicals are reused, lignin is separated in the forms of reactive native lignin and reactive lignosulfonates and hemicelluloses are converted into fermentable sugars, while fermentation inhibitors are removed. In an integrated vapor compression stripper and evaporator system, aliphatic alcohol is removed from a liquid stream and the resulting stream is concentrated for further processing.