Abstract: A process for regenerating catalysts that have been deactivated or poisoned during hydrogenation of biomass, sugars and polysaccharides is described, in which polymerized species that have agglomerated to catalyst surfaces can be removed by means of washing the catalyst with hot water at subcritical temperatures. A feature of the process regenerates the catalysts in situ, which allows the process to be adapted for used in continuous throughput reactor systems. Also described is a continuous hydrogenation process that incorporated the present regeneration process.

Abstract: A process is described for improving the performance of certain multiphase reaction systems including a solid catalyst, one or more reactants in the gas phase and one or more reactants in the liquid phase, wherein a targeted maximum concentration of a reactant in the liquid phase is identified for providing improved value in terms of byproduct formation, catalyst deactivation and yields of desired products, and this targeted concentration is closely approached and preferably achieved, but not substantially exceeded, downstream in a continuous process or later in time from the initiation of a batch in a semibatch mode of operation of such processes.

Abstract: A method for reducing contaminants in the production of a bio-derived glycol product of polyol hydro-genolysis is described. The method involves subjecting an aqueous, polyol product mixture (from the hydrogenolysis conversion of biologically-derived carbohydrate feedstock) to ion-exclusion chromatography to separate and reduce impurities from an eluant fraction containing a desired product, and distilling the eluant fraction to yield the desired product (e.g., propylene glycol or ethylene glycol). The reaction product mixture can be introduced into a continuous ion-exclusion chromatography system to reduce the impurities and produce in a high-throughput manner a finished otherwise commercially acceptable glycol product.

Abstract: A process for regenerating catalysts that have been deactivated or poisoned during hydrogenation of biomass, sugars and polysaccharides is described, in which polymerized species that have agglomerated to catalyst surfaces can be removed by means of washing the catalyst with hot water at subcritical temperatures. A feature of the process regenerates the catalysts in situ which allows the process to be adapted for used in continuous throughput reactor systems. Also described is a continuous hydrogenation process that incorporated the present regeneration process.

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: Oxidations of hydrocarbons, cycloalkanes and alkenes, arylalkanes, and a variety of other organic substrates are accomplished by cobalt-N-hydroxysuccinimide co-catalyzed reactions with dioxygen under unusually mild, near ambient conditions of temperature and pressure. The improved safety of the oxidation method and the high yields of product obtained make use of a unique combination of cobalt (II) complexes with N-hydroxysuccinimide. These autoxidation reactions do not have prolonged initiation times. Many of these reactions can be safely performed under normal chemical laboratory conditions and do not require specialized equipment or reagents.

Abstract: Oxidations of hydrocarbons, cycloalkanes and alkenes, arylalkanes, and a variety of other organic substrates are accomplished by cobalt-N-hydroxysuccinimide co-catalyzed reactions with dioxygen under unusually mild, near ambient conditions of temperature and pressure. The improved safety of the oxidation method and the high yields of product obtained make use of a unique combination of cobalt (II) complexes with N-hydroxysuccinimide. These autoxidation reactions do not have prolonged initiation times. Many of these reactions can be safely performed under normal chemical laboratory conditions and do not require specialized equipment or reagents.