Abstract: A process for producing alpha-olefins comprising: a) contacting an ethylene feed with an oligomerization catalyst system in an oligomerization reaction zone under oligomerization reaction conditions to produce a product stream comprising alpha-olefins; and b) cooling at least a portion of the reaction zone using a heat exchange medium having an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature wherein the catalyst system comprises a metal-ligand complex and a co-catalyst; the oligomerization reaction conditions comprise a reaction temperature of greater than 70° C.; and the difference between the reaction zone temperature and the inlet temperature of the heat exchange medium is from 0.5 to 15° C.

Abstract: A process for producing alpha-olefins comprising contacting an ethylene feed with an oligomerization catalyst system in an oligomerization reaction zone under oligomerization reaction conditions to produce a product stream comprising alpha-olefins wherein the catalyst system comprises an iron-ligand complex and a co-catalyst and the molar ratio of oxygen to iron being fed to the oligomerization reaction zone is of from 1:1 to 200:1. Alternatively, the molar ratio of oxygen to aluminum in MMAO being fed to the oligomerization reaction zone is less than 1:5.

Abstract: A process for producing alpha-olefins comprising contacting an ethylene feed with an oligomerization catalyst system in an oligomeriation reaction zone under oligomerization reaction conditions to produce a product stream comprising alpha-olefins wherein the catalyst system comprises a metal-ligand complex and a co-catalyst and the oligomerization reaction conditions comprise a reaction temperature of at least 115° C.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: heating cellulosic biomass solids and a digestion solvent in the presence of molecular hydrogen and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, thereby forming a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase, the slurry catalyst being distributed in the cellulosic biomass solids and at least a portion of the slurry catalyst accumulating in the phenolics liquid phase as it forms; conveying at least a portion of the phenolics liquid phase and the slurry catalyst to a location above at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass solids; and after conveying the phenolics liquid phase and the slurry catalyst, releasing them such that they come in contact with the cellulosic biomass solids.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by lignin release therefrom, which can produce a highly viscous phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids in the presence of a digestion solvent, molecular hydrogen, and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen; at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase; wherein at least a portion of the slurry catalyst accumulates in the phenolics liquid phase as it forms; and reducing the viscosity of the phenolics liquid phase.

Abstract: A method for digesting cellulosic biomass solids in a hydrothermal digestion unit comprises providing a reactor, a gas feed line, a system for feeding biomass into the reactor, a fluid circulation system including a fluid inlet, pump, and injector; providing a digestion medium containing a slurry catalyst in the digestion unit; circulating the digestion medium through the circulation system; supplying an upward flow of hydrogen through the biomass solids; and maintaining the biomass solids and catalyst at a temperature sufficient to cause digestion of cellulosic biomass solids into an alcoholic component; wherein the fluid inlet includes a stinger unit having an upper surface, an inner volume in communication with the catalyst circulation system, and an opening in the upper surface for allowing fluid to enter the inner volume; and allowing digestion medium to flow into the catalyst circulation system via the catalyst stinger.

Abstract: A method comprises introducing biomass solids to a digester comprising a reactor, a circulation system including a first injector; providing a catalyst-containing digestion medium and an organic solvent layer floating thereon; circulating the medium through the circulation system; flowing gas through the medium; keeping the medium hot enough to digest the solids; and operating the digester such a headspace exists above the solvent. The digester includes a first eductor having an inlet in the headspace, a second eductor having an inlet in the organic layer, and a downdraft tube having an inlet in the digestion medium. A motive fluid flowing from the first injector draws gas from the headspace into the first eductor, a motive fluid flowing from the first eductor draws fluid from the organic layer into the second eductor, and a motive fluid flowing from the second eductor draws fluid from the digestion medium into the downdraft tube.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing cellulosic biomass solids in a digestion solvent; at least partially converting the cellulosic biomass solids into a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin, an aqueous phase comprising an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, and an optional light organics phase; and separating the phenolics liquid phase from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by lignin release therefrom, which can produce a highly viscous phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer. Systems for processing a phenolics liquid phase comprising lignin polymer may comprise: a hydrothermal digestion unit; a viscosity measurement device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit; a temperature control device within the hydrothermal digestion unit or in flow communication with the hydrothermal digestion unit; and a processing device communicatively coupled to the viscosity measurement device and the temperature control device, the processing device being configured to actuate the temperature control device if the viscosity of a fluid phase comprising lignin exceeds a threshold value in the biomass conversion system.

Abstract: Digesting cellulosic biomass solids in the presence of a well-distributed slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen may limit the amount of degradation products that form during digestion.

Abstract: A method of hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treating biomass is provided. Lignocellulosic biomass solids is provided to a hydrothermal digestion unit in the presence of a digestive solvent, and a supported hydrogenolysis catalyst containing (a) sulfur, (b) Mo or W, and (c) Co, Ni or mixture thereof, incorporated into an alumina support, which support is predominantly alpha alumina; (ii) heating the lignocellulosic biomass solids and digestive solvent in the presence of hydrogen, and supported hydrogenolysis catalyst thereby forming a product solution containing plurality of oxygenated hydrocarbons, said alumina support having a specific surface area of up to about 30 m2/g and said catalyst retaining a crush strength of at least 50% after being subjected to an aqueous phase stability test compared with before the aqueous phase stability test or a crush strength of at least 0.25 kg after being subjected to an aqueous phase stability test.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids can be enhanced in the presence of a phenolic solvent. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids can comprise providing cellulosic biomass solids containing up to about 50% water by mass in a digestion medium comprising about 50% or more of an organic solvent by volume; heating the cellulosic biomass solids and the digestion medium in a digestion unit in the presence of molecular hydrogen and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, thereby forming an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids and liberating lignin therefrom; wherein the digestion medium and the water form a biphasic mixture in which the alcoholic component, slurry catalyst, and lignin are contained; removing at least a portion of the biphasic mixture from the digestion unit; converting at least a portion of the lignin into a phenolic solvent; and returning the phenolic solvent to the digestion unit.

Abstract: Separation of a product of digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be challenging due to the various components contained therein. Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass, particularly a reaction product of a hydrothermal reaction containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, comprise providing the reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid extraction unit. The liquid-liquid extraction unit can provide an aqueous portion and a non-aqueous portion, where these portions can be separated into various fractions individually. For example, desirable compounds in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and optionally combined to be further processed into a fuels product. Heavier components in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and used in the process, such as phenolics that can be used as a digestion solvent.

Abstract: Separation of a product of digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be challenging due to the various components contained therein. Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass, particularly a reaction product of a hydrothermal reaction containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, comprise providing the reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid extraction unit. The liquid-liquid extraction unit can provide an aqueous portion and a non-aqueous portion, where these portions can be separated into various fractions individually. For example, desirable compounds in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and optionally combined to be further processed into a fuels product. Heavier components in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and used in the process, such as phenolics that can be used as a digestion solvent.

Abstract: Separation of a product of digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be challenging due to the various components contained therein. Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass, particularly a reaction product of a hydrothermal reaction containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, comprise providing the reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid phase separation unit. The liquid-liquid phase separation unit can provide an aqueous portion and a non-aqueous portion, where these portions can be separated into various fractions individually. For example, desirable compounds in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and optionally combined to be further processed into a fuels product. Heavier components in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and used in the process, such as phenolics that can be used as a digestion solvent.

Abstract: Separation of a product of digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be challenging due to the various components contained therein. Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass, particularly a reaction product of a hydrothermal reaction containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, comprise providing the reaction product of a further processing (such as condensation reaction) comprising a liquid-liquid extraction unit. The liquid-liquid extraction unit can provide an aqueous portion and a non-aqueous portion, where these portions can be separated into various fractions individually. For example, desirable compounds in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and optionally combined to be further processed into a fuels product. Heavier components in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and used in the process, such as phenolics that can be used as a digestion solvent.

Abstract: Separation of a product of digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be challenging due to the various components contained therein. Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass, particularly a reaction product of a hydrothermal reaction containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, comprise providing the reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid extraction unit. The liquid-liquid extraction unit can provide an aqueous portion and a non-aqueous portion, where these portions can be separated into various fractions individually. For example, desirable compounds in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and optionally combined to be further processed into a fuels product. Heavier components in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and used in the process, such as phenolics that can be used as a digestion solvent.

Abstract: Separation of a product of digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be challenging due to the various components contained therein. Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass, particularly a reaction product of a hydrothermal reaction containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, comprise providing the reaction product of a further processing (such as condensation reaction) to a non-aqueous stream to at least part precipitate the lignin and removing the precipitated lignin.

Abstract: Separation of a product of digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be challenging due to the various components contained therein. Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass, particularly a reaction product of a hydrothermal reaction containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, comprise providing the reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid extraction or phase separation unit. The liquid-liquid extraction or phase separation unit can provide an aqueous portion and a non-aqueous portion, where these portions can be separated into various fractions individually. For example, desirable compounds in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and optionally combined to be further processed into a fuels product. Heavier components in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and used in the process, such as phenolics that can be used as a digestion solvent.

Abstract: Separation of a product of digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be challenging due to the various components contained therein. Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass, particularly a reaction product of a hydrothermal reaction containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, and organic salts, comprise providing acid solution to the organic salt containing process stream to convert the organic acid salts to acids to for further processing.