Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of glycolaldehyde with high specificity. The hydrous thermolysis consists of the spraying of aqueous sugar solutions containing from 25 to 80% of water but preferably 30 to 60% water, as a fine mist into a reactor held at the between 500 and 600° C., but preferably between 520 and 560° C. and the condensation of the resulting vaporous product in a surface condenser with optional heat recovery. The residence time of the vaporous product in the reactor should be in the range 0.1–5 seconds, but preferably in the range 0.5 to 2 seconds. Aldose monomeric sugars, preferably glucose (also known as dextrose), are preferred for use in the aqueous solution. The yield of glycolaldehyde in the condensed liquid is minimum 50% by weight of the sugar fed for glucose solutions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of glycolaldehyde with high specificity. The hydrous thermolysis consists of the spraying of aqueous sugar solutions containing from 25 to 80% of water but preferably 30 to 60% water, as a fine mist into a reactor held at the between 500 and 600° C., but preferably between 520 and 560° C. and the condensation of the resulting vaporous product in a surface condenser with optional heat recovery. The residence time of the vaporous product in the reactor should be in the range 0.1-5 seconds, but preferably in the range 0.5 to 2 seconds. Aldose monomeric sugars, preferably glucose (also known as dextrose), are preferred for use in the aqueous solution. The yield of glycolaldehyde in the condensed liquid is minimum 50% by weight of the sugar fed for glucose solutions.

Abstract: A process for making organic slow release nitrogenous fertilizers from pyrolysis products obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass uses a chemical reaction to combine a nitrogen compound containing the --NH.sub.2 group with the pyrolysis products to form a mixture. The mixture is heated to form organic nitrogen compounds. Various sources of biomass can be used. The mixture can be heated to remove water and to cause polymerization and solidification to occur. The mixture can also be combined with an absorbent. Previously, nitrogenous fertilizers had been produced using an ammoxidation process requiring long reaction times of up to several hours.