Abstract: A process to increase the amount of methane produced from a bio-digester comprises providing a digester to receive a feed and to capture a biogas composition resulting from bio-digestion. Organic material is added to the digester along with at least one inoculum capable of converting a portion of the organic material into methane under anaerobic conditions. A biomass is provided that is substantially free of lignin in an amount that ranges between 0.1 to 5% w/w of the total feed, the biomass further having another organic material. The biomass is added to the digester. Sufficient time is allowed for the digester to degrade the biomass and the organic material to yield a biogas composition that includes methane. Optionally, the biomass that is substantially free of lignin is added in an amount that ranges between 0.1 to 5% w/w of the total feed of the biomass having the other organic material.

Abstract: A process to obtain glucose from a pretreated lignocellulosic biomass comprises providing a lignocellulosic biomass and contacting said lignocellulosic biomass to a modified Caro's acid composition for a period of time necessary to remove more than 98.5% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic biomass and thus obtaining a solid stream and a liquid stream. The solid stream is exposed to an enzyme blend to produce a hydrolysate comprising sugars obtained from the hydrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose. Optionally, the hydrolysate may be fermented to produce value-added products.

Abstract: A process to manufacture nanocrystalline cellulose from cellulose having a low hemicellulose content, said process comprising the steps of: exposing said cellulose to a microemulsion composition for a first pre-determined period of time, thereby creating a soaked cellulose; optionally, exposing the soaked cellulose to a sonication step for a second predetermined period of time; and exposing the resulting mixture to a H2O2 with FeSO4 or CuSO4 under acidic conditions for a third pre-determined period causing hydrolysis of the cellulose; wherein the nanocrystalline cellulose will have a crystallinity index of more than 50% and an aspect ratio ranging from 10:1 length to width to 50:1 length to width.

Abstract: In one example, a process includes providing a system with a first vessel and a second vessel; providing a biomass comprising lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose fibers into said first vessel; providing an aqueous acidic composition comprising an acid; providing a modifier component; providing a peroxide component; exposing said biomass to said sulfuric acid, modifier and peroxide components, creating a reaction mass; mixing said reaction mass; and allowing said sulfuric acid component and peroxide component to come into contact with said biomass for a period of time sufficient to a delignification reaction to occur and remove a pre-determined amount of said lignin from said biomass. The pre-determined amount may be assessed by determining a first remaining peroxide concentration in the reaction mass, with a suitable apparatus, when said first remaining peroxide concentration is reached, the biomass is transferred to said second vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising an acid; a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; an imidazole derivative; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; an alkylsulfonic acid; an arylsulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a peroxide salt; and a peroxide. Also disclosed herein are compositions comprising an acid; a modifying agent comprising a compound containing an amine group and a compound comprising a sulfonic acid moiety; a peroxide salt; and a peroxide.

Abstract: A process to perform a controlled exothermic delignification of biomass comprises providing a system having a first vessel and a second vessel, providing a biomass comprising lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose fibers placed into the first vessel, providing an aqueous acidic composition comprising a sulfuric acid component, providing a modifier component and providing a peroxide component. The biomass is exposed to the sulfuric acid component and peroxide component, thereby creating a reaction mass. The reaction mass is mixed and the sulfuric acid, modifier and peroxide components are allowed to come into contact with the biomass for a period of time sufficient for a delignification reaction to occur and to remove a predetermined amount of the lignin from the biomass. The predetermined amount is assessed by testing a first kappa number of the biomass. When the first kappa number of the biomass is reached, the biomass is transferred to the second vessel.

Abstract: A one-pot process to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock, where the process involves the steps of: providing a vessel; providing the lignocellulosic feedstock; providing a composition that includes: an acid; a modifying agent including a compound containing an amine group; and a peroxide; exposing the lignocellulosic feedstock to the composition in the vessel for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock; and, optionally, separating and removing a liquid phase that includes dissolved lignin fragments from a solid phase containing cellulose fibres.

Abstract: A one-pot processes to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock include providing a vessel; providing a lignocellulosic feedstock; providing a composition comprising an acid, a modifying agent comprising a heterocyclic compound, and a peroxide; and exposing the lignocellulosic feedstock to the composition in the vessel for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock.

Abstract: One-pot processes to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock include providing a vessel; providing a lignocellulosic feedstock; providing a composition comprising an acid, a modifying agent comprising an alkanesulfonic acid, and a peroxide; and exposing the lignocellulosic feedstock to the composition in the vessel for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock. In some instances, such one-pot process can further include removing a liquid phase comprising dissolved lignin fragments from a solid phase comprising cellulose fibres.

Abstract: One-pot processes to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock include providing a vessel; providing a lignocellulosic feedstock; providing an aqueous composition comprising an acid, a modifying agent comprising a substituted aromatic compound, and a peroxide; and exposing the lignocellulosic feedstock to the composition in the vessel for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock.

Abstract: A modified aqueous acid composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety; and a peroxide; wherein sulfuric acid, said compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety and said peroxide are present in a molar ratio of no less than 1:1:1. Also disclosed are methods of using such compositions.

Abstract: Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibers and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide, wherein said alkylsulfonic acid and peroxide are present in a molar ratio ranging 1:1 to 15:1 and the time of exposure is sufficient to remove substantially all of the lignin present on said plant material. Compositions capable of achieving delignification are also disclosed.

Abstract: A one-pot process to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock includes providing a vessel; providing a lignocellulosic feedstock; providing a composition comprising an acid, a modifying agent comprising a carbonyl-containing nitrogenous base compound, and a peroxide; exposing the lignocellulosic feedstock to the composition in the vessel for a period of time sufficient to remove at least 80% of the lignin present in the lignocellulosic feedstock; and optionally, removing a liquid phase comprising dissolved lignin fragments from a solid phase comprising cellulose fibres.

Abstract: Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibres and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: an acid; a capping agent; and a peroxide; for a period of time sufficient to remove substantially all (at least 80%) of the lignin present on said plant material. Also disclosed are compositions to accomplish such delignification and processes using such.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a heterocyclic compound; an alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a modifying agent comprising an arylsulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

Abstract: Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibres and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: an acid; a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; alkylsulfonic acid; aryl sulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a metal salt; and a peroxide; for a period of time sufficient to remove substantially all (at least 80%) of the lignin present on said plant material.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a modifying agent comprising a carbonyl-containing nitrogenous base compound; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; an alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a heterocyclic compound; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.