Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for the production of a sugar alcohol from the corresponding sugar through catalytic hydrogenation. Especially, the invention relates to a process for reducing the interference of sugar-derived aldonic acids in the hydrogenation process by adjusting the hydrogenation conditions so that the activity of the catalyst is maintained. In one embodiment of the invention, the process of the invention is carried out by adjusting the hydrogenation temperature by starting the hydrogenation at a lower temperature and then gradually rising the temperature to the final hydrogenation temperature. In another embodiment of the invention, the process of the invention is carried out by adding small-molecular monocarboxylic acids to the hydrogenation solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanofiltration process for enriching and concentrating a neutral organic compound into the permeated liquid with negative retention.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved nanofiltration process of recovering xylose from a solution of a plant-based biomass hydrolysate. The process of the present invention is based on the regulation of the xylose flux in the nanofiltration process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chromatographic separation process for fractionating betaine-containing solutions by utilizing fractions comprising parts of the separation profile as a substituent of the eluent in a novel and inventive manner. The process provides improved separation capacity and separation efficiency without affecting the yield or purity of betaine or other products. The process can especially be applied to sequential SMB separation systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chromatographic separation process for fractionating solutions containing sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar acids and/or betaine by utilizing fractions comprising parts of the separation profile as a substituent of the eluent in a novel and inventive manner. The starting solutions are typically multicomponent plant-based extracts and hydrolysates, stillages, and fermentation products and derivatives thereof. The process prow vides improved separation capacity and separation efficiency without affecting the yield or purity of product components, such as sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar acids, and betaine. The process can especially be applied to sequential SMB separation systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of recovering galactose from a solution derived from plant-based biomass. In the process of the invention, the starting solution is subjected to one or more chromatographic fractionation steps, which may carried out with a strongly basic anion exchange resin and optionally with a strongly acid cation exchange resin, in any desired sequence, followed by recovering at least one fraction enriched in galactose. The galactose fraction thus obtained is further purified by crystallization to obtain crystalline galactose. The invention also relates to non-animal derived crystalline D-galactose.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved nanofiltration process of recovering xylose from a solution of a plant-based biomass hydrolysate. The process of the present invention is based on the regulation of the xylose flux in the nanofiltration process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of separating sugars and sugar alcohols from each other. More particularly the present invention relates to the use of a weakly basic anion exchange resin in a chromatographic separation process. The advantage of the present invention compared with the prior art is that it is especially suitable for separating reducing sugars in acidic conditions as well as for example in weakly acidic conditions. The method using chromatographic separation comprises at least one step where a weakly basic anion exchange resin is used in a chromatographic column or in a part of a column.

Abstract: The invention relates to removing crystallization inhibitors from a solution comprising one or more reducing sugars by nanofiltration, hydrolysis and/or chromatography. The reducing sugars are typically selected from fructose and xylose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid distributing device for distributing fluid into a column and to a fluid collecting device for collecting fluid from a column. The invention relates also to methods of using the devices of the present invention. The distributing device and/or the collecting device of the present invention can be used in fixed or fluidized bed reactors or columns, such as chromatographic separation columns, ion exchange columns, adsorption columns etc. A fluid distributing device comprises a) a first fluid conveying system; and b) a distributing plate, which comprises i) first means for fluid transfer for dividing the fluid flow coming from the delivering points into several partial fluid flows and for distributing the partial fluid flows into the column; and ii) first means for controlling of the partial fluid flows by differential pressure in the first means for fluid transfer.

Abstract: A method for fractionating a solution into two or more fractions. More particularly the invention relates to a method for fractionating a solution by a chromatographic simulated moving bed (SMB) process in which the dissolved substances present in the feedstock are separated in the partial packed beds, and the formed separation profile is circulated more than once or less than once through the chromatographic separation loop during one cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a process for fractionating a solution into two or more fractions. The system of the invention comprises at least two compartments having a diameter of at least about one meter and including a uniform packing of a polymer-based ion exchange resin with a bead size in the range of about 50 to about 250 ?m. The mixing volume of the fluid fronts in the system of the invention is not more than 5% of the volume of the compartment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the recovery of deoxy sugars, such as fucose from biomass-derived solutions, such as spent liquors obtained from pulping processes. The invention is based on the use of chromatographic fractionation with specific column packing materials and combinations thereof. The deoxy sugar product obtained from the chromatographic fractionation may be further purified by crystallization. The invention also provides a novel crystalline fucose product and a novel process for the crystallization of fucose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fractionating liquid mixtures or solutions, comprising the steps of subjecting a feed in the form of a liquid mixture or solution to a first chromatographic separation, thereby recovering at least a fraction (A) and a fraction (B) both containing a first component or product, subjecting a mixture or solution derived from or comprising said fraction (A) to a second chromatographic separation, thereby recovering at least a fraction (C) rich in said first component or product and subjecting a mixture or solution derived from or comprising said fraction (B) to a third chromatographic separation, thereby recovering at least a fraction (D) also rich in said first component or product, and whereby at least two fractions are recovered from the second and third chromatographic separations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid distributing device for distributing fluid into a column and to a fluid collecting device for collecting fluid from a column. The invention relates also to methods of using the devices of the present invention. The distributing device and/or the collecting device of the present invention can be used in fixed or fluidized bed reactors or columns, such as chromatographic separation columns, ion exchange columns, adsorption columns etc. A fluid distributing device comprises a) a first fluid conveying system; and b) a distributing plate, which comprises i) first means for fluid transfer for dividing the fluid flow coming from the delivering points into several partial fluid flows and for distributing the partial fluid flows into the column; and ii) first means for controlling of the partial fluid flows by differential pressure in the first means for fluid transfer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a weakly acid cation exchange resin for chromatographic separation of carbohydrates. In the invention the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interaction of carbohydrates, sugars and sugar alcohols with the weakly acid cation exchange resin is utilized. The weakly acid cation exchange resin is used for separation of hydrophobic saccharides, such as deoxy, methyl and anhydrosugars and anhydrosugaralcohols from more hydrophilic saccharides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of xylitol. The process utilises ribulose for the preparation of xylitol and involves several different conversion reactions, such as reduction, epimerisation and/or isomerisation. The present invention also relates to the use of ribulose for the preparation of xylitol.

Abstract: A method for fractionating a solution into two or more fractions. More particularly the invention relates to a method for fractionating a solution by a chromatographic simulated moving bed (SMB) process in which the dissolved substances present in the feedstock are separated in the partial packed beds, and the formed separation profile is circulated more than once or less than once through the chromatographic separation loop during one cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of xylitol. In particular, processes utilising L-xylose as an intermediate for xylitol production are described. The present invention also relates to process for the preparation or L-xylose, as an intermediate, by-product or end-product to be used per se.

Abstract: A method for fractionating a solution into two or more fractions by a chromatographic simulated moving bed (SMB) process, wherein the separation system comprises at least two separation profiles in the same loop.