Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods of depolymerizing a lignin component of a lignin-containing material. The method comprising contacting the lignin-containing material with a solvent and optionally a catalyst at a temperature in the range of 180-300° C. and at a maximum operating pressure of less than 10 barG during the depolymerization of the lignin component of the material and collecting at least one volatile stream comprising one or more depolymerized lignin products. In an embodiment, the step of contacting is carried out in a reactive distillation reactor, and the step of collecting comprises concurrently collecting at least one volatile stream via distillation apparatus connected to the reactive distillation reactor, at least one of the one or more depolymerized lignin products comprises a substituted phenol having the following general formula: (I) wherein R1 is H, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, propenyl, or allyl, and R2 and R3 are independently selected from H or methoxy group.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) from one or more bio-derived reactants, and their use as base oils: (R1-A)b-(CHx)a(CHR2)m—(C(R4R5))n—(CHR3)o—(CHy)c-(A-R1?)d??(I) wherein a and c are independently 0 or 1, b and d are independently 1 or 2, x and y are independently 1 or 2, dependent upon the values of a-d, m and o are independently 0 or 1, n is an integer of 0-6, and each A is independently an unsaturated furan ring, a partially saturated furan ring, a saturated furan ring, or —(CH2)4—. Also, R1, R1?, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, with a proviso that at least one of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is not hydrogen, and the total carbon content of the compound of formula (I) is in the range of 20-62.

Abstract: A method of converting a lignocellulosic biomass to monosaccharides, and optionally further converting the monosaccharides to one or both of furfural and HMF, includes contacting the biomass with a reactive liquid phase comprising LiBr, H2SO4, and water, wherein H2SO4 preferably constitutes at most 1.0 wt %, more preferably at most 0.5 wt %, and most preferably at most 0.1 wt % of the reactive liquid phase, and water preferably constitutes at most at most 60 wt %, more preferably at most 50 wt %, and most preferably at most 30 wt % of the reactive liquid phase.

Abstract: A method of converting a lignocellulosic biomass to monosaccharides, and optionally further converting the monosaccharides to one or both of furfural and HMF, includes contacting the biomass with a reactive liquid phase comprising LiBr, H2SO4. and water, wherein H2SO4 preferably constitutes at most 1.0 wt %, more preferably at most 0.5 wt %, and most preferably at most 0.1 wt % of the reactive liquid phase, and water preferably constitutes at most at most 60 wt %, more preferably at most 50 wt %, and most preferably at most 30 wt % of the reactive liquid phase.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a device which utilizes catalytic microcombustion for the production of heat or power and which exhibits a low pressure drop and has a high catalytic surface area. The catalytic microcombustor includes catalyst inserts in the reaction chamber separated by a sub millimeter distance. Thermal spreaders ensure temperature uniformity and maximum thermal efficiency. A mixing zone is prior to the combustion zone. Thermally conductive and/or insulating inserts are in the vicinity of the reaction zone.