Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass (11) is processed to produce organic chemicals by (a) subjecting the biomass to a first hydrolysis (14) to hydrolyse hemicellulose, to form a liquid component comprising the products of hemicellulose hydrolysis in solution, and a solid component comprising cellulose and lignin; (b) then subjecting the solid component to a second hydrolysis (20), so as to hydrolyse cellulose and vaporise the resulting products of cellulose hydrolysis; and (c) then condensing (22) the resulting vapours to form an aqueous solution (25) containing the products of cellulose hydrolysis. After the first hydrolysis (14) and before the second hydrolysis (20), the process also comprises subjecting the solid component to a washing step (16). In this washing step (16) the solid component is washed with the aqueous solution (25) that contains the products of cellulose hydrolysis. Hence the resultant solution contains the products of both the first and the second hydrolysis steps (14, 20).

Abstract: A plant and process for performing thermolysis of cellulose uses a thermolysis reactor which comprises a reactor duct having a longitudinal axis, and an eductor at one end of the reactor duct. The eductor has an entry chamber and a venturi-shaped exit channel, a nozzle, a sloping deflector plate above the nozzle, and an inlet port through which particulate material may be fed onto the deflector plate and into the entry chamber. The nozzle and the venturi-shaped exit channel are aligned with the longitudinal axis. A superheater provides superheated steam at a temperature above 450° C. to flow through the nozzle. The particulate matter is entrained in the flowing steam, and undergoes thermolysis. This may be combined with a pre-treatment to hydrolyse hemicellulose, so that lignocellulosic biomass can be processed.

Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass (11) is processed to produce organic chemicals by (a) subjecting the biomass to a first hydrolysis (14) to hydrolyse hemicellulose, to form a liquid component comprising the products of hemicellulose hydrolysis in solution, and a solid component comprising cellulose and lignin; (b) then subjecting the solid component to a second hydrolysis (20), so as to hydrolyse cellulose and vaporise the resulting products of cellulose hydrolysis; and (c) then condensing (22) the resulting vapours to form an aqueous solution (25) containing the products of cellulose hydrolysis. After the first hydrolysis (14) and before the second hydrolysis (20), the process also comprises subjecting the solid component to a washing step (16). In this washing step (16) the solid component is washed with the aqueous solution (25) that contains the products of cellulose hydrolysis. Hence the resultant solution contains the products of both the first and the second hydrolysis steps (14, 20).

Abstract: A process for the preparation of C4 oxygenate compounds such as threose, erythrose or erythrulose starting from a composition comprising C1-3 oxygenate compounds such as formaldehyde, glycolaldehyde, glyoxal, pyruvaldehyde or acetol, wherein the process is carried out in the presence of a crystalline microporous material having a ring pore structure selected from an eight-membered ring pore structure or a ten-membered ring pore structure.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol and other C1-C3 hydroxy compounds comprising the steps of hydrogenating a composition comprising C1-C3 oxygenate compounds. In particular the process is suitable for hydrogenating a composition comprising different C1-C3 oxygenate compounds, such as the product from a thermolytic fragmentation of a sugar composition.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol and other C1-C3 hydroxy compounds comprising the steps of hydrogenating a composition comprising C1-C3 oxygenate compounds. In particular the process is suitable for hydrogenating a composition comprising different C1-C3 oxygenate compounds, such as the product from a thermolytic fragmentation of a sugar composition.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol comprising the steps of pyrolyzing a monosaccharide and hydrogenating the product composition in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent, wherein the pressure of the hydrogenation reaction is 40 bar or greater.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of lactic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid or esters thereof from a sugar in the presence of a metallo-silicate material, a metal ion and a solvent, wherein the metal ion is selected from one or more of the group consisting of potassium ions, sodium ions, lithium ions, rubidium ions and caesium ions.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol comprising the steps of hydrogenating a composition comprising C2-oxygenate compounds in the gas phase in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for reducing the percentage by weight of formaldehyde present in a composition comprising glycolaldehyde, wherein formaldehyde is transformed into one or more formaldehyde acetal(s) and removed from the reactive distillation reaction solution by reactive distillation in the presence of at least one alcohol and a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol comprising the steps of hydrogenating a composition comprising C2-oxygenate compounds in the gas phase in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of lactic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid or esters thereof from a sugar in the presence of a metallo-silicate material, a metal ion and a solvent, wherein the metal ion is selected from one or more of the group consisting of potassium ions, sodium ions, lithium ions, rubidium ions and caesium ions.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol comprising the steps of pyrolysing a monosaccharide and hydrogenating the product composition in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent, wherein the pressure of the hydrogenation reaction is 40 bar or greater.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of C4 oxygenate compounds such as threose, erythrose or erythrulose starting from a composition comprising C1-3 oxygenate compounds such as formaldehyde, glycolaldehyde, glyoxal, pyruvaldehyde or acetol, wherein the process is carried out in the presence of a crystalline microporous material having a ring pore structure selected from an eight-membered ring pore structure or a ten-membered ring pore structure.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of lactic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid or esters thereof from a sugar in the presence of a metallo-silicate material, a metal ion and a solvent, wherein the metal ion is selected from one or more of the group consisting of potassium ions, sodium ions, lithium ions, rubidium ions and caesium ions.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of lactic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid or esters thereof from a sugar in the presence of a metallo-silicate material, a metal ion and a solvent, wherein the metal ion is selected from one or more of the group consisting of potassium ions, sodium ions, lithium ions, rubidium ions and caesium ions.

Abstract: A Process for preparing ketene in the presence of a fluidized bed material with a surface area of up to about 600 m2/g. The process is further defined as a process for preparing ketene from a sugar or glycolaldehyde feedstock.

Abstract: A Process for preparing ketene in the presence of a fluidized bed material with a surface area of up to about 600 m2/g. The process is further defined as a process for preparing ketene from a sugar or glycolaldehyde feedstock.

Abstract: A process for reducing the percentage by weight of formaldehyde present in a composition comprising glycolaldehyde, wherein formaldehyde is transformed into one or more formaldehyde acetal(s) and removed from the reactive distillation reaction solution by reactive distillation in the presence of at least one alcohol and a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the production of lactic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid or esters thereof by conversion of glucose, fructose, sucrose, xylose and glycolaldehyde dissolved in a solvent in presence of a solid Lewis acidic catalyst.