Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a heterocyclic compound; an alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

Abstract: A composition is provided for use as a hard surface cleaner, sanitizer and/or disinfectant. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises an alkanesulfonic acid; a source of peroxide; an effective amount of a stabilizer; and water.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel aqueous composition for use in removing petroleum-contaminated barium sulfate scale from a surface contaminated with such, said composition comprising: a chelating agent and a counterion component selected from the group consisting of: Li5DTPA; Na5DTPA; K5DTPA; Cs5DTPA; Na4EDTA; K4EDTA; TEAH4DTPA; and TBAH5DTPA; a scale removal enhancer; and a non-ionic surfactant. There is also disclosed methods to use such compositions.

Abstract: An aqueous modified acid composition for industrial activities, said composition comprising: an alkanolamine and strong acid in a molar ratio of not less than 1:15, preferably not less than 1:10; it can also further comprise a metal iodide or iodate. Said composition demonstrates advantages over known conventional acids and modified acids.

Abstract: An aqueous modified acid composition for industrial activities, said composition comprising: an alkanolamine and strong acid in a molar ratio of not less than 1:15, preferably not less than 1:10; it can also further comprise a metal iodide or iodate. Said composition demonstrates advantages over known conventional acids and modified acids.

Abstract: An aqueous modified or synthetic acid composition comprising: an acid; a first component comprising: an amine and a carboxylic acid group; a second component comprising: an amine and a sulfonic acid group; wherein said first component and said acid are present in a molar ratio ranging from 1:3 to 1:15, more preferably from 1:3 to 1:12.5. Said acid composition is preferably used in acidizing or stimulating dolomite formations. Disclosed also are methods involving the use of said acid composition.

Abstract: A method of obtaining ethanol from a lignocellulosic biomass comprises delignification of a lignocellulosic biomass using a modified Caro's acid. Next a solid portion of the delignification reaction mixture is recovered wherein the solid portion comprises a substantially hemicellulose-free cellulosic component which includes at most, up to 15% w/w hemicellulose. Next, the recovered solid portion of the resulting reaction mixture is exposed to an enzyme mix comprising cellulase enzymes to create a saccharification system that breaks down the cellulose into a saccharified composition such as oligosaccharides. The saccharified composition is then fed to an organism, such as yeast, with the ability to ferment sugars into ethanol.

Abstract: A process to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock, said process comprising the steps of: providing said lignocellulosic feedstock; providing a composition comprising; an acid; a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; imidazole derivatives; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; alkylsulfonic acid; arylsulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a peroxide salt; and a peroxide; exposing said lignocellulosic feedstock to said composition for a period of time sufficient to depolymerize substantially all of the lignin present in said lignocellulosic feedstock into lignin oligomers and lignin monomers; wherein said process is carried out at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a modifying agent comprising an amine group; and a peroxide. The amine group can include triethanolamine, diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, pyrrolidine, ethylenediamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, DIPEA, cyclohexylamine, piperidine, morpholine, DBU, benzylamine, and combinations thereof. The composition is capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place. The composition can be used in processing and depolymerization of cellulose from a plant source.

Abstract: A process to increase the amount of methane produced from a bio-digester comprises providing a digester to receive a feed and to capture a biogas composition resulting from bio-digestion. Organic material is added to the digester along with at least one inoculum capable of converting a portion of the organic material into methane under anaerobic conditions. A biomass is provided that is substantially free of lignin in an amount that ranges between 0.1 to 5% w/w of the total feed, the biomass further having another organic material. The biomass is added to the digester. Sufficient time is allowed for the digester to degrade the biomass and the organic material to yield a biogas composition that includes methane. Optionally, the biomass that is substantially free of lignin is added in an amount that ranges between 0.1 to 5% w/w of the total feed of the biomass having the other organic material.

Abstract: A process to perform a controlled exothermic delignification of biomass comprises providing a system having a first vessel and a second vessel, providing a biomass comprising lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose fibers placed into the first vessel, providing an aqueous acidic composition comprising a sulfuric acid component, providing a modifier component and providing a peroxide component. The biomass is exposed to the sulfuric acid component and peroxide component, thereby creating a reaction mass. The reaction mass is mixed and the sulfuric acid, modifier and peroxide components are allowed to come into contact with the biomass for a period of time sufficient for a delignification reaction to occur and to remove a predetermined amount of the lignin from the biomass. The predetermined amount is assessed by testing a first kappa number of the biomass. When the first kappa number of the biomass is reached, the biomass is transferred to the second vessel.

Abstract: An aqueous modified acid composition for use in oil industry activities, said composition comprising: an amino acid, an alkanolamine and strong acid wherein the mineral acid: alkanolamine/amino acid are present in a molar ratio of not more than 15:1, preferably not more than 10:1; it can also further comprise a metal iodide or iodate. Said composition demonstrates advantages over known conventional acids and modified acids.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel aqueous composition for use in removing petroleum-contaminated barium sulfate scale from a surface contaminated with such, said composition comprising: a chelating agent and a counterion component selected from the group consisting of: Li5DTPA; Na5DTPA; K5DTPA; Cs5DTPA; Na4EDTA; K4EDTA; TEAH4DTPA; and TBAH5DTPA; a scale removal enhancer; a non-ionic surfactant; and a hydrotrope. There is also disclosed methods to use such compositions.

Abstract: A method for the stimulation of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, said method comprising the steps of: providing a wellbore in need of stimulation; inserting a plug in the wellbore at a location slightly beyond a predetermined location; inserting a perforating tool and a spearhead or breakdown acid into the wellbore; positioning the tool at said predetermined location; perforating the wellbore with the tool thereby creating a perforated area; allowing the spearhead acid to come into contact with the perforated area for a predetermined period of time sufficient to prepare the formation for stimulation; removing the tool form the wellbore; and initiating the stimulation of the perforated area using a stimulation fluid. Also disclosed is a corrosion inhibiting composition for us with the acid composition.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel aqueous composition for use in removing mixed sulfate scale from a surface contaminated with such, said composition comprising: a chelating agent and a counterion component selected from the group consisting of: Li5DTPA; Na5DTPA; K5DTPA; Cs5DTPA; Na4EDTA; K4EDTA; TEAH4DTPA; and TBAH5DTPA; a dissolution enhancer; optionally a compound such as sodium gluconate or the like and a carboxyl-containing fructan such as carboxymethyl inulin. There is also disclosed methods to use such compositions.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibition package for use with an aqueous acid composition, said package comprising: a terpene; a cinnamaldehyde or a derivative thereof; at least one amphoteric surfactant; and a solvent. Also disclosed are compositions comprising said corrosion inhibitor package. Preferably, the corrosion inhibition package meets the environmental requirements for classification as yellow according to the Norwegian North Sea offshore drilling regulatory requirements.

Abstract: An aqueous modified acid composition for industrial activities, said composition comprising: an alkanolamine and strong acid in a molar ratio of not less than 1:15, preferably not less than 1:10; it can also further comprise a metal iodide or iodate. Said composition demonstrates advantages over known conventional acids and modified acids.

Abstract: A modified aqueous acid composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety; and a peroxide; wherein sulfuric acid, said compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety and said peroxide are present in a molar ratio of no less than 1:1:1. Also disclosed are methods of using such compositions.

Abstract: A modified aqueous acid composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety; and a peroxide; wherein sulfuric acid, said compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety and said peroxide are present in a molar ratio of no less than 1:1:1. Also disclosed are methods of using such compositions.

Abstract: A method for stimulation of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation includes inserting a perforating tool and an acidic composition into a wellbore. An outside surface of the tool is pre-treated prior to downhole insertion with a grease containing a first corrosion inhibitor adapted minimize corrosion by exposure of the tool the acidic composition for a duration of the stimulation process. The acidic composition further comprises a second corrosion inhibitor that reacts with the first corrosion inhibitor to generate a corrosion protective layer onto the outside surface of the tool. The method further includes perforating the wellbore with the tool, allowing the acidic composition to come into contact with the perforated area of the wellbore, removing the tool from the wellbore; and initiating the stimulation of the perforated area using a stimulation fluid.