Abstract: A process is provided for producing furfural from solid biomass by gaseous acid catalysed hydrolysis and dehydration in the presence of superheated steam and one or more acid catalysts. The solid biomass is heated to a temperature which is sufficiently high to ensure that the superheated steam and the acid catalyst or catalysts to be used remain in gaseous form during the reaction. The heated solid biomass is contacted with a gaseous stream containing superheated steam and one or more acid catalysts to produce a furfural-containing gaseous stream containing superheated steam, one or more acid catalysts and furfural. The furfural-containing gaseous stream is recirculated to bring it into further contact with the heated solid biomass to enrich the concentration of furfural.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the hydrogenolysis of a furfuryl derivative to 2-methylfuran derivative, comprising: (a) contacting under liquid phase conditions a solution of the furfuryl derivative in a solvent having a boiling point above the boiling point of furfuryl derivative with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a hydrogenation compound to form a 2-methylfuran derivative and water, at a temperature and pressure suitable to maintain the furfuryl derivative in the solvent in the liquid phase, and (b) continuously distilling the 2-methylfuran derivative from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons comprising the steps of (i) hydrogenating furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural or a mixture of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to provide furfuryl alcohol, 2,5-furandimethanol or a mixture of furfuryl alcohol and 2,5-furandimethanol; (ii) oligomerizing the alcohol or mixture of alcohols of step (i) in the presence of an acidic catalyst to provide a carbon-carbon coupled oligomer; and (iii) hydrogenating the oligomer of step (ii) is provided. The hydrocarbons are useful as fuel blending components. Processes for controlling the oligomerization of alcohol or mixture of alcohols to optimise the production of oligomers suitable for conversion to hydrocarbons useful as kerosene and diesel components are also provided.