Abstract: Processes for producing nitrogen containing compounds include producing hexamethylenediamine (HMD), adiponitrile (ADN), adipamide (ADM) and derivatives thereof from adipic acid (AA) obtained from fermentation broths containing diammonium adipate (DAA) or monoammonium adipate (MAA).

Abstract: Processes that, make nitrogen-containing compounds include converting succinic acid (SA) or monoammonium succinate (MAS) derived from a diammoniurn succinate (DAS)- or MAS-containing fermentation broth to produce such compounds Including diammobmane (DAB), succinic dinitrile (SDN), succinic amino nitrile (SAN), succinamide (DAM), and related polymers.

Abstract: Processes for making caprolactam (CL) from monoammonium adipate (MAA) and/or adipic acid (AA) obtained from a clarified diammonium adipate-containing (DAA-containing) fermentation broth or MAA-containing fermentation broth and converting the MAA or AA to the CL with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst at selected temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: Processes for producing nitrogen containing compounds include producing hexamethylenediamine (HMD), adiponitrile (ADN), adipamide (ADM) and derivatives thereof from adipic acid (AA) obtained from fermentation broths containing diammonium adipate (DAA) or monoammonium adipate (MAA).

Abstract: Ketocarboxylic acids such as levulinic acid can be efficiently purified in high yield by esterification with a hydrocarbon polyol to the corresponding polyketocarboxylic ester, which can be readily purified, for example recrystallized. After purification, the ketocarboxylic ester can be hydrolyzed to provide pure ketocarboxylic acid, or a salt thereof, after removal of the esterifying hydrocarbon polyol, or used for other synthetic transformations. Advantageously, the polyketocarboxylic esters, ketocarboxylic acids, and salts thereof produced by this method are obtained in high purity.

Abstract: A system is described for processing biomass through a pyrolysis chamber that utilizes revolving polygon platforms, a conveyor system, and an airlock for introducing or removing biomass into the pyrolysis chamber. Biomass can be introduced via a first revolving polygon platform, and biochar resulting from pyrolysis can be removed via a second revolving polygon platform.

Abstract: Isobutene, isoprene, and butadiene are obtained from mixtures of C4 and/or C5 olefins by dehydrogenation. The C4 and/or C5 olefins can be obtained by dehydration of C4 and C5 alcohols, for example, renewable C4 and C5 alcohols prepared from biomass by thermochemical or fermentation processes. Isoprene or butadiene can be polymerized to form polymers such as polyisoprene, polybutadiene, synthetic rubbers such as butyl rubber, etc. in addition, butadiene can be converted to monomers such as methyl methacrylate, adipic acid, adiponitrile, 1,4-butadiene, etc. which can then be polymerized to form nylons, polyesters, polymethylmethacrylate etc.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to renewable compositions derived from fermentation of biomass, and integrated methods of preparing such compositions.

Abstract: Ketocarboxylic acids such as levulinic acid can be efficiently purified in high yield by esterification with a hydrocarbon polyol to the corresponding polyketocarboxylic ester, which can be readily purified, for example recrystallized. After purification, the ketocarboxylic ester can be hydrolyzed to provide pure ketocarboxylic acid, or a salt thereof, after removal of the esterifying hydrocarbon polyol, or used for other synthetic transformations. Advantageously, the polyketocarboxylic esters, ketocarboxylic acids, and salts thereof produced by this method are obtained in high purity.

Abstract: A process for making HOOC—R—COOH compound acid from a clarified NH4+?OOC—R—COO?NH4+ compound-containing fermentation broth including distilling the broth under super atmospheric pressure at a temperature of >I00° C. to about 250° C. to form an overhead that comprises water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that Includes HOOC—R—COOH compound acid, and at least about 20 wt %. water; cooling the. bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a liquid portion in contact with a solid portion that is substantially pure HOOC—R—COOH compound acid; separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and recovering the solid portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to renewable compositions derived from fermentation of biomass, and integrated methods of preparing such compositions.

Abstract: Processes for making pyrrolidones include providing a clarified diammonium succinate (DAS)-containing and/or monoammonium succinate (MAS)-containing fermentation broth; distilling the broth under super atmospheric pressure at a temperature of greater than 100° C. to about 300° C. to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes SA, and at least about 20 wt % water; cooling and/or evaporating the bottoms to attain a temperature and composition sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a liquid portion and a solid portion that is substantially pure SA; separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and converting the solid SA portion to pyrrolidones.

Abstract: Processes that make nitrogen-containing compounds include converting succinic acid (SA) or monoammonium succinate (MAS) derived from a diammonium succinate (DAS)- or MAS-containing fermentation broth to produce such compounds including diaminobutane (DAB), succinic dinitrile (SDN), succinic amino nitrile (SAN), succinamide (DAM), and related polymers.

Abstract: A process for making a hydrogenated product comprising caprolactone (CLO) and 1,6-hexanediol (HDO) and derivatives thereof from adipic acid (AA) obtained from fermentation broths containing diammonium adipate (DAA) or monoammonium adipate (MAA).

Abstract: A process for making a hydrogenated product includes providing a clarified DAS-containing fermentation broth; distilling the broth under super atmospheric pressure at a temperature of >100° C. to about 300° C. to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes SA, and at least about 20 wt % water; cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a liquid portion in contact with a solid portion that is substantially pure SA; separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; recovering the solid portion; hydrogenating the solid portion in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst to produce the hydrogenated product including at least one of THF, GBL or BDO; and recovering the hydrogenated product.

Abstract: Processes for making hydrogenated products including caprolactame (CL) caprolactone (CLO) or 1,6-hexanediol (HDO) and derivative thereof from monoammonium adipate (MAA) and/or adipic acid (AA) obtained from a clarified diammonium adipate-containing (DAA-containing) fermentation broth or monoammonium adipate-containing (MAA-containing) fermentation broth.

Abstract: Processes for making pyrrolidones include making MAS and/or SA from a clarified DAS- and/or MAS-containing fermentation broth and converting the MAS or SA to the pyrrolidones, typically with catalysts at selected temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: Processes include providing a clarified diammonium succinate (DAS)- or monoammonium succinate (MAS)- containing fermentation broth; distilling the broth of an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes SA, and at least about 20 wt % water; cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a liquid portion in contact with a solid portion that is substantially pure SA; separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and converting the solid portion to produce nitrogen containing compounds such as diamino butane (DAB), succinic dinitrile (SDN), succinic amino nitrile (SAN) or succinamide (DAM) and downstream products.

Abstract: A process for making a NH4+OOC—R—COOH compound from a clarified NH4+OOC—R—COO?NH4+ compound-containing fermentation broth includes (a) distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes a NH4+OOC˜R˜COOH compound, at least some of a NH4+QOC—R—COO?NH4+ compound, and at least about 20 wt % water; (b) cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a NH4+OOC—R˜C00?NH4+ compound-containing liquid portion in contact with a NH4+OOC—R—COOH compound-containing solid portion that is substantially free of the NH4+OOC—R—COO?NH4+ compound; (c) separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and (d) recovering the solid portion.

Abstract: Isobutene, isoprene, and butadiene are obtained from mixtures of C4 and/or C5 olefins by dehydrogenation. The C4 and/or C5 olefins can be obtained by dehydration of C4 and C5 alcohols, for example, renewable C4 and C5 alcohols prepared from biomass by thermochemical or fermentation processes. Isoprene or butadiene can be polymerized to form polymers such as polyisoprene, polybutadiene, synthetic rubbers such as butyl rubber, etc. in addition, butadiene can be converted to monomers such as methyl methacrylate, adipic acid, adiponitrile, 1,4-butadiene, etc. which can then be polymerized to form nylons, polyesters, polymethylmethacrylate etc.