Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting biomass into a fuel additive, the method comprising: liquefying the biomass to form a liquor; neutralizing the liquor; precipitating lignin out of the liquor; extracting furfural (FF) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from the liquor; and hydrodeoxygenating (HDO) the extracted furfurals over a Cu—Ni/TiO2 catalyst. The catalyst for hydrodeoxygenating (HDO) furfural (FF) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to methylated furans comprises copper-nickel (Cu—Ni) particles supported on titanium dioxide (TiO2), and wherein the copper-nickel particles form core-shell structures in which copper (Cu) is enriched at a surface of the catalyst.

Abstract: Systems are provided that permit temperature control of a catalyst bed for conversion of alcohols to fuel hydrocarbons by modulating the water content of the alcohol feed stream provided to the catalyst bed. In some embodiments a secondary catalyst bed is provided for the conversion of light hydrocarbons found in the initial hydrocarbon product to fuel hydrocarbons that are liquid at ambient temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Systems are provided that permit temperature control of a catalyst bed for conversion of alcohols to fuel hydrocarbons by modulating the water content of the alcohol feed stream provided to the catalyst bed. In some embodiments a secondary catalyst bed is provided for the conversion of light hydrocarbons found in the initial hydrocarbon product to fuel hydrocarbons that are liquid at ambient temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Described herein are microbial stimulating compounds that act as a surfactant to increase fermentation. Also described are methods for enhancing fermentation utilizing these compounds as well as methods for the producing the compounds from lignocellulosic biomass and biomass components during high temperature reactions with alcohols. The stimulating compounds can be produced from a variety of polysaccharides or sugars.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that permit temperature control of a catalyst bed for conversion of alcohols to fuel hydrocarbons by modulating the water content of the alcohol feed stream provided to the catalyst bed. Heat generated by exothermic reactions in the catalyst bed can be utilized to pre-heat the alcohol feed stream. In some embodiments a secondary catalyst bed is provided for the conversion of light hydrocarbons found in the initial hydrocarbon product to fuel hydrocarbons that are liquid at ambient temperature and pressure.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system for production of reactive intermediates from lignocellulosic biomass. The reactive intermediates can be used as platform chemicals for biological conversions or can be further catalytically upgraded to be used as “drop in” reagents for fuels. The disclosure provides methods and compositions useful for processing biomass to biofuels and intermediates.

Abstract: Systems are presented that reduce energy and water consumption in processes for producing fuel from renewable alcohol-containing feedstreams. Alcohol content is converted directly to hydrocarbon transport fuels in a catalytic process, with heat transferred between intermediate process streams to reduce heat energy consumption. Overall water consumption is reduced by recovery of water from the catalytic process and reduction of water temperature to reduce evaporative losses.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system for production of reactive intermediates from lignocellulosic biomass. The reactive intermediates can be used as platform chemicals for biological conversions or can be further catalytically upgraded to be used as “drop in” reagents for fuels. The disclosure provides methods and compositions useful for processing biomass to biofuels and intermediates.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting biomass into a fuel additive, the method comprising: liquefying the biomass to form a liquor; neutralizing the liquor; precipitating lignin out of the liquor; extracting furfural (FF) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from the liquor; and hydrodeoxygenating (HDO) the extracted furfurals over a Cu—Ni/TiO2 catalyst. The catalyst for hydrodeoxygenating (HDO) furfural (FF) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to methylated furans comprises copper-nickel (Cu—Ni) particles supported on titanium dioxide (TiO2), and wherein the copper-nickel particles form core-shell structures in which copper (Cu) is enriched at a surface of the catalyst.

Abstract: Systems are presented that reduce energy and water consumption in processes for producing fuel from renewable alcohol-containing feedstreams. Alcohol content is converted directly to hydrocarbon transport fuels in a catalytic process, with heat transferred between intermediate process streams to reduce heat energy consumption. Overall water consumption is reduced by recovery of water from the catalytic process and reduction of water temperature to reduce evaporative losses.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented that reduce energy and water consumption in processes for producing fuel from renewable alcohol-containing feedstreams. Alcohol content is converted directly to hydrocarbon transport fuels in a catalytic process, with heat transferred between intermediate process streams to reduce heat energy consumption. Overall water consumption is reduced by recovery of water from the catalytic process and reduction of water temperature to reduce evaporative losses.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that permit temperature control of a catalyst bed for conversion of alcohols to fuel hydrocarbons by modulating the water content of the alcohol feed stream provided to the catalyst bed. Heat generated by exothermic reactions in the catalyst bed can be utilized to pre-heat the alcohol feed stream. In some embodiments a secondary catalyst bed is provided for the conversion of light hydrocarbons found in the initial hydrocarbon product to fuel hydrocarbons that are liquid at ambient temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented that reduce energy and water consumption in processes for producing fuel from renewable alcohol-containing feedstreams. Alcohol content is converted directly to hydrocarbon transport fuels in a catalytic process, with heat transferred between intermediate process streams to reduce heat energy consumption. Overall water consumption is reduced by recovery of water from the catalytic process and reduction of water temperature to reduce evaporative losses.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system for production of reactive intermediates from lignocellulosic biomass. The reactive intermediates can be used as platform chemicals for biological conversions or can be further catalytically upgraded to be used as “drop in” reagents for fuels. The disclosure provides methods and compositions useful for processing biomass to biofuels and intermediates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for converting cellulose in a lignocellulosic biomass. The method provides for a lignin-blocking polypeptide and/or protein treatment of high lignin solids. The treatment enhances cellulase availability in cellulose conversion and allows for the determination of optimized pretreatment conditions. Additionally, ethanol yields from a Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation process are improved 5-25% by treatment with a lignin-blocking polypeptide and/or protein.

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 methods and composition of the disclosure are directed to the reducing cellulase inhibition by xylooligomers through adding hemicellulase enzymes that break xylooligomers down to monomeric sugars with a corresponding increase in glucose release. What was heretofore unknown is that xylobiose and higher xylooligomers inhibit enzymatic hydrolysis of any lignocellulosic biomass (plant material) used as feed stocks for commercial ethanol production, including, but not limited to, corn stover, birch wood, switchgrass, poplar wood, Miscanthus, aspen, other grasses and woody plants, and many other types of agricultural and forestry residues, as well as municipal solid waste. In addition, the examples herein show that xylobiose and xylotriose have progressively greater effects on hydrolysis rates. In accordance with the disclosure, the addition of one or more hemicellulase enzymes, such as xylanase and ?-xylosidase, to a lignocellulosic biomass significantly improves hydrolysis performance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for converting cellulose in a lignocellulosic biomass. The method provides for a lignin-blocking polypeptide and/or protein treatment of high lignin solids. The treatment enhances cellulase availability in cellulose conversion and allows for the determination of optimized pretreatment conditions. Additionally, ethanol yields from a Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation process are improved 5-25% by treatment with a lignin-blocking polypeptide and/or protein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for converting cellulose in a lignocellulosic biomass. The method provides for a lignin-blocking polypeptide and/or protein treatment of high lignin solids. The treatment enhances cellulase availability in cellulose conversion and allows for the determination of optimized pretreatment conditions. Additionally, ethanol yields from a Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation process are improved 5-25% by treatment with a lignin-blocking polypeptide and/or protein. Thus, a more efficient and economical method of processing lignin containing biomass materials utilizes a polypeptide/protein treatment step that effectively blocks lignin binding of cellulase.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a process, comprising treating lignocellulosic biomass according to a first pretreatment protocol, thereby generating a first product mixture; separating the first product mixture into a first plurality of fractions; and treating at least one fraction of said first plurality of fractions according to a second pretreatment protocol, thereby generating a second product mixture. In one embodiment, the lignocellulosic biomass is selected from the group consisting of grass, switch grass, cord grass, rye grass, reed canary grass, miscanthus, sugar-processing residues, sugarcane bagasse, agricultural wastes, rice straw, rice hulls, barley straw, corn cobs, cereal straw, wheat straw, canola straw, oat straw, oat hulls, corn fiber, stover, soybean stover, corn stover, forestry wastes, recycled wood pulp protocol protocol fiber, paper sludge, sawdust, hardwood, softwood, and combinations thereof.