Abstract: A process is provided for the processing of certain organic agricultural foodstuff by-products normally having little commercial value to produce a cellulosic product suitable for human consumption or use in various products. The process of the present invention is characterized by subjecting a variety of certain agricultural by-products having little commercial value, such as, for example, soy bean hulls, to a series of separate steps utilizing certain chemical treating to effect a solubilizing and removal of the non-cellulosic components of the by-product agricultural material to produce residue solids which consist essentially of cellulose. The cellulose residue solids are subjected to specified purification procedures and thereafter dried to produce a short, fine fibered cellulose which may be processed to a fine powdered state suitable for use as a component part in a wide variety of edible or otherwise useable products by humans, an example of such a product being a low calorie bread.

Abstract: The solubilization of lignocellulosic fibrous material is accomplished by impregnating the selected lignocellulosic material with one of a group of certain swelling agents, allowing a sufficient amount of time until the desired degree of swelling is achieved, then subjecting the swollen fibers to irradiation from a gamma radiation source.

Abstract: Continuous hydrolysis to produce sugars is effected by cyclically immersing a solid, divided lignocellulosic material in a bath of concentrated hydrochloric acid and draining the material between successive immersions so as to dissolve the produced sugars, until the sugar concentration of the acid in the bath has attained a desired value.The solid material and the liquid acid are delivered to a tubular horizontal rotary reactor arranged to provide a bath of the acid, to produce a rotating movement for cyclical immersion of the solid material in the bath of acid and longitudinally displace the solid material undergoing hydrolysis together with the acid of the bath and to continuously discharge solid residue and acid containing dissolved sugars due to overflow by gravity at an outlet end of the reactor.

Abstract: A fragmented material is dissolved continuously by impregnation and immersion into a solvent bath in which said material is subjected to a moderate mixing movement allowing it to be kept within the interior of said bath to undergo dissolution therein until formation of fine residual particles of insoluble material which are maintained in suspension by this movement, the whole being removed continuously by a controlled overflow of the bath. This process is applied to cellulose contained in various lignocellulosic materials, which is dissolved continuously by immersion of the previously impregnated material into a bath of hydrochloric acid through which hydrogen chloride gas is caused to bubble, to effect complete dissolution of the cellulose and suspension of the fine insoluble residual lignin particles.

Abstract: A process for treating cellulosic materials to obtain glucose therefrom, which process includes an initial acid or base treatment of the cellulosic materials to remove hemicellulose, followed by a solvent treatment of the solid residue to dissolve the native cellulose contained therein. The dissolved cellulose is separated from the solid lignin-containing residue, whereafter the cellulose is reprecipitated by contacting the solution thereof with water. The reprecipitated cellulose is hydrolyzed to glucose either by acid or enzyme hydrolysis. If desired, the cellulose may be reprecipitated and hydrolyzed in the presence of the lignin-containing solid, the latter being separated from the glucose.

Abstract: A reactor system for continuously effecting the hydrolysis of cellulosic materials, as relatively concentrated aqueous mixtures, comprises a tubular reactor, a high solids pump, steam injecting means, a discharge valve controlled by pressure-responsive means, and means for collecting and recovering the reaction products from the hydrolyzate. The high-solids pump apparatus utilizes a valve having a flow distributing passageway of arcuate, uniform circular cross-section. The various portions of the apparatus are constructed with uniform internal dimensions and configurations, so as to avoid any constriction to flow of the material therethrough, thus minimizing the tendency for blockages to occur therewithin. The loading mechanisms are unloaded alternatingly by a reciprocating ram, so as to substantially continuously feed material through the associated valve.

Abstract: A process for producing glucose, which may be fermented into alcohol, from wood pulp cellulose. The wood pulp is produced by dispersing corrugated paper obtained, for example, from used cardboard boxes; or paper derived, for example, from used newspapers; or waste wood; as free fibers into water at ambient temperature, and by subsequently reducing the fibers to glucose by catalytic reduction and acid hydrolysis under heat and variable pressures.

Abstract: A process for recovering cellulose using sulfuric acid and utilizing the recovered cellulose by hydrolysis to yield glucose. Cellulosic raw materials are hydrolyzed by dilute sulfuric acid to remove hemicellulose, after which the solid residue is separated and is treated with concentrated sulfuric acid to dissolve cellulose contained therein. After blending and mixing of the residue in the concentrated sulfuric acid under mild reaction conditions, cellulose is reprecipitated by addition of water or an organic solvent such as methanol. The recovered cellulose can then be hydrolyzed by cellulose enzymes and/or dilute acids to provide a high yield of glucose. High level recovery and reconcentration of the sulfuric acid is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nontoxic cellulose solvent and process for forming and utilizing the same. The solvent includes a metal chelating agent, a metal compound, an oxygen scavenging stabilizing agent and a caustic swelling agent with the disclosed solvent being prepared in either aqueous or solid form. The solvent is caused to contact cellulosic materials in order to dissolve cellulose therefrom. The dissolved cellulose may be reprecipitated and may then be hydrolyzed by cellulose enzyme or acid to yield glucose with lignin being removed either before or after hydrolysis has occurred.

Abstract: A method for effecting saccharification of raw cellulosic material taken from any available source. The cellulosic material is hydrolyzed by immersing it in a bath of anhydrous liquid hydrogen chloride to yield usable glucose and other products. The cellulosic material may be processed through one or more pre-treatment steps, each acting to enhance the yield of glucose and other products when the pre-treated material is subjected to hydrolyzation by anhydrous liquid hydrogen chloride. The raw material may first be immersed in a caustic solution which swells the cellular structure to render it more reactive and acts to solubilize the lignins and other compounds contained therein, these being washed away to provide a prepared cellulosic material.

Abstract: A cellulose product containing hemicellulose derived from corn hulls is treated under acidic conditions to obtain purified cellulose having present at least about 70 percent alpha-cellulose. Hemicellulose or a xylose-containing solution may also be obtained.

Abstract: The crude product obtained from the acid hydrolysis of cellulose, the product comprising concentrated hydrochloric acid and the various sugars obtained from the acid hydrolysis of cellulose, is separated into a first fraction comprising concentrated hydrochloric acid and a second fraction comprising the sugars by a process comprising:(1) contacting the crude product with an organic solvent consisting essentially of at least one C.sub.5 -C.sub.9 alcohol such that the organic solvent is enriched with the concentrated hydrochloric acid,(2) separating the enriched organic solvent from the concentrated hydrochloric acid depleted crude product, and(3) recovering the concentrated hydrochloric acid from the enriched organic solvent.

Abstract: Processes for treating cellulosic substances prior to hydrolysis which lead to shortening hydrolysis time and to increasing sugar yield. As exemplary, an aqueous slurry of the cellulosic substance is acidified and heated to and maintained at a temperature to produce a change in the cellulosic structure; the heating period is controlled so that there is little glucose formation. The pretreated cellulose may be subsequently hydrolyzed by acid or enzyme.

Abstract: A method for effecting saccharification of raw cellulosic material taken from any available source. In the first step, the raw material is immersed in a caustic solution which swells the cellular structure to render it more reactive and acts to solubilize the lignins and other compounds contained therein, these being washed away to provide a prepared cellulosic material. In the second step, the prepared material is subjected to a viscose process to produce a viscous solution of sodium cellulose xanthate in sodium hydroxide, from which solution the aqueous phase is separated to provide a viscose intermediate. In the final step, the viscose intermediate is hydrolyzed by immersing it in a bath of anhydrous liquid hydrogen chloride to yield usable glucose and other products.

Abstract: Xylan-containing raw material which is very absorbent in the dry state, particularly one year old plants, is treated with an acid either by spraying or by an acid vapor to a limited extent. The extent of treatment is sufficient to permit hydrolysis of the xylan to xylose without complete saturation of the raw material. After hydrolysis, the raw material is washed in counterflow with water to extract the xylose solution. Washing may be accomplished in an extraction column or in a multi-step mixing arrangement.

Abstract: A continuous process for effecting the acid hydrolysis of cellulosic waste materials, at high solids and in a most economically desirable manner. The process may be controlled to produce, as primary products, glucose, furfural and/or xylose. By appropriate control of water and temperature, through the use of direct steam injection, high solids feedstocks may quickly be converted, in good yields, to valuable products, thus making the process very attractive from a practical commercial standpoint.

Abstract: Continuous hydrolysis to produce sugars is effected by cyclically immersing a solid, divided lignocellulosic material in a bath of concentrated hydrochloric acid and draining the material between successive immersions so as to dissolve the produced sugars, until the sugar concentration of the acid in the bath has attained a desired value.The solid material and the liquid acid are delivered to a tubular horizontal rotary reactor arranged to provide a bath of the acid, to produce a rotating movement for cyclical immersion of the solid material in the bath of acid and longitudinally displace the solid material undergoing hydrolysis together with the acid of the bath and to continuously discharge solid residue and acid containing dissolved sugars due to overflow by gravity at an outlet end of the reactor.

Abstract: A process to yield glucose from cellulose through acid hydrolysis. Cellulose is recovered from cellulosic materials, preferably by pretreating the cellulosic materials by dissolving the cellulosic materials in Cadoxen or a chelating metal caustic swelling solvent and then precipitating the cellulose therefrom. Hydrolysis is accomplished using an acid, preferably dilute sulfuric acid, and the glucose is yielded substantially without side products. Lignin may be removed either before or after hydrolysis.

Abstract: Xylose is produced from residues of annuals by (a) extracting soluble and solubilizable undesired substances from the residues countercurrently with an aqueous acid solution, (b) pressing the extracted residues to remove as much as possible of the proportion of undesired substances, (c) moistening the pressed residues with an acid solution which contains xylose; (d) hydrolyzing the pentosans present in the residues by increasing the temperature of the acidified moistened residues, (e) terminating the hydrolysis by decreasing the temperature of the hydrolyzed residues, (f) extracting the pentoses from the hydrolyzed residues with water, (g) purifying and concentrating the xylose solution obtained, and, if desired, (h) winning xylose by crystallization.

Abstract: A process for removing an organic impurity from an aqueous solution is disclosed, said process comprising contacting the aqueous solution with an acid cation exchanger and subsequently with a polymer or polycondensate, which contains sulfur in the form of thiol groups bonded to carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for the production of glucose from cellulose containing raw material by steam treatment at a temperature from 160.degree. to 230.degree. C. for from 2 minutes to 4 hours followed by lixiviation with aqueous alkali and acid or enzymatic hydrolysis of fibrinous residue.

Abstract: A process for the obtention of fructose and fructose-rich syrups from xerophyte plants, particularly of the genus Amarillidaceae, such as Agave, comprises separately collecting the plant material consisting of the leaf portions and the core portions of the plant; admixing and washing with water said plant materials; chopping the washed plant material to form small pieces and recovering the juices released by the chopping operation; subjecting the chopped material to an extraction process with an aqueous liquor expressing the residual solid plant material to expel the enriched extractant therefrom; admixing the plant juice and extractant to obtain a mixed juice, settling and clarifying said mixed juice; acidulating the liquid phase of the process at a preselected moment in the sequence, such that the settled and clarified juice will be brought to a pH of from about 3 to about 4; allowing said acidulated liquid phase to stand for a period of time of from about 2 to 3 hours at a temperature of from about 85.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for the production of xylose or xylitol wherein a vegetable material is contacted with a basic substance and the solid residue is thereafter treated with an acid, the improvement resides in the use of stone nut shells, in employing a two-stage digestion initially with a 1.5-6 molar alkali metal hydroxide solution at 10.degree.-50.degree. C. and thereafter diluting the digestion mass to 0.75 molar or less and digesting at a temperature of at least 60.degree. C.

Abstract: Corn hulls and like materials are subjected to a treatment to obtain two fractions therefrom comprising a holocellulose fraction and a non-carbohydrate fraction.

Abstract: The aqueous acid-containing xylose solution is first passed through an ion exchanger to remove the strong acid which was added to the raw material in the xylane hydrolysis and xylose extraction system and then subjected to evaporation in an evaporator. The evaporated water, acetic acid and formic acid of the solution is then condensed and is partly re-cycled and partly subjected to recovery processes. The concentrated xylose solution in the evaporator is then passed through a second ion exchanger to remove any traces of acetic acid or formic acid.

Abstract: Cellulosic fibers are removed from seed hulls such as cottonseed hulls by a process including (a) in the absence of mechanical action sufficient to cause degradation of fiber properties, contacting the seed hulls which comprise both cellulosic fibers (linters and hull fibers) and non-fibrous hull components with an alkaline solution and an oxygen-containing gas until the cellulosic fibers are substantially free of the non-fibrous hull components, and (b) recovering the cellulosic fibers from the non-fibrous hull components so as to produce readily washable cellulosic fibers having substantially unimpaired mechanical properties. The cellulosic fibers may then be washed and separated according to known fiber fractionation procedures. The cellulosic fibers produced according to this improved process have substantially unimpaired mechanical properties and contain substantially no polyphenolic materials or extraneous color components.

Abstract: Process for the two-stage decomposition of hemi-celluloses of xylan-containing natural products for the purpose of obtaining xylose and xylitol where the starting material is treated in the first stage with a basic medium and the obtained solid residue is subjected in a subsequent stage to an acid treatment wherein the alkaline and acid stages are carried out in a single reaction vessel.

Abstract: Regeneration of supported ruthenium catalysts. A supported ruthenium catalyst which has been used for conversion of carbohydrates to polyhydric alcohols is regenerated by contacting the catalyst with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid, such as sulfuric, hydrochloric, or phosphoric acid. Dilute acids, e.g., 0.01 N to 0.5 N, are preferred.

Abstract: Plant material containing hemicellulose and lignin is prehydrolyzed in the presence of steam and the vapors of a dilute acid solution having a pH of 1.5-3.5 at a temperature of 105.degree. C to 135.degree. C for 7-20 minutes to hydrolyze the hemicellulose into pentoses and hexoses and to leave a fibrous material and a liquid, said liquid containing said pentoses and hexoses. The liquid is separated from the fibrous material, and the pentoses and hexoses are recovered from the liquid. The fibrous material is digested with white liquor at a temperature of 105.degree. C to 135.degree. C.

Abstract: In the method of making low molecular weight cellulose ethers and esters by contacting such ethers or esters of higher molecular weight with HCl or other hydrogen halide gas, yellowing of the depolymerized or degraded product is inhibited by treating the dry material with SO.sub.2 at about ambient temperature. Residual acid in the product can be neutralized conveniently by treatment with a weak base such as ammonia or sodium bicarbonate. The low molecular weight-low viscosity product is useful in detergent compositions and in coatings for medical pills and capsules.

Abstract: A method for decrystallizing cellulose in natural cellulosic material which comprises admixing phosphoric acid with the cellulosic material to form a gel therewith, admixing tetrahydrofuran with the gel to extract the phosphoric acid forming a solution therewith and a precipitate of amorphous cellulose and recovering tetrahydrofuran and phosphoric acid from the solution for reuse in the process.

Abstract: Corn hulls are subjected to a treatment to obtain three fractions therefrom comprising a cellulosic fraction, a hemicellulose fraction and a noncarbohydrate fraction. The noncarbohydrate fraction is characterized as being an organic solvent extract comprising at least about 15 percent of the dry weight of the corn hulls and containing above about 10 percent by weight ferulic acid.

Abstract: A continuous method for the decomposition of a raw-material that contains polysaccharides by means of acid hydrolysis. The raw-material is hydrolyzed continuously in one reactor as two steps. In the first step, the hydrolysis is run in the upper part of the reactor in a vapor phase, whereby pentosans are decomposed mainly into furfural, acetic acid, methanol, and acetone, and hexosans are decomposed into disaccharides and trisaccharides. In the second step, the hydrolysis is run in the bottom part of the reactor in a liquid phase, whereby the disaccharides and trisaccharides obtained in the first step are decomposed into monosaccharides and into saccharic and fatty acids.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the continuous acid hydrolysis of pentosan-containing material at a temperature between 80.degree. and 120.degree. C and at a pH lower than 5. At least two portions of hydrolysate are re-cycled back into the hydrolysis vessel. One recycle portion having a lower acid concentration is supplemented with additional acid before being returned to the hydrolysis vessel.

Abstract: The apparatus operates on a continuous basis under gravity flow to extract sugars from hemi-cellulose-containing raw material such as xylose from xylan-containing raw materials. The apparatus includes a sequence of interconnected vessels to steam heat the raw material, to acid-impregnate the steam-heated material, to hydrolyze the acid-impregnated material with steam and to extract sugar and other particles from the hydrolyzed material with a counter-flow of hot water. A conveyor is used in the acid impregnating vessel to move the material to the reaction vessel. The hydrolyzed material is stored in a tank while the residue of raw material is removed in a non-destroyed state.

Abstract: A method of hydrolyzing cellulose to monosaccharides, especially glucose, by subjecting cellulose, under controlled temperature and pressure, to an aqueous mixture of calcium chloride and an acid, preferably hydrochloric acid, providing a low concentration of H.sup.+. When the starting material is pure alpha cellulose, glucose is produced in very high yields. When the starting material is a mixture of hemi and alpha cellulose, the resultant product is a mixture of pentose (xylose) and hexose (glucose) sugars. Refluxing the reaction mixture containing pure alpha cellulose, about 55% calcium chloride and only about 0.01% hydrochloric acid, based on the total reaction mass, will produce in a relatively short time relatively high yields of glucose.

Abstract: A method for recovering xylitol from pentosan-, preferably xylan-containing raw materials including the steps of hydrolyzing the raw material, purifying the hydrolysate by ion exclusion and color removal, and then subjecting the purified solution to chromatographic fractionation to provide a solution containing a high level of xylose. The xylose solution is hydrogenated and a xylitol-rich solution is recovered by chromatographic fractionation using ion exchange resins.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of xylose solutions from oat husks which comprises:A. hydrolyzing oat husks with a solution of alkali metal hydroxide to provide oat husks from which the chemically bound acetic acid originally present therein has been substantially completely removed, and a solution of acetic acid, provided, that a quantity of not less than one mole, and not more than two moles, of said solution of alkali metal hydroxide is used per mole of acetic acid originally present in the oat husks;B. recovering the oat husks from which the chemically bound acetic acid has been substantially removed; andC. hydrolyzing the oat husks of step (b) with a mineral acid to provide a solid residue containing lignin and an acidic solution of D-(+)-xylose.

Abstract: A process for obtaining crystalline xylitol substantially free of xylose from a mixture of xylose and xylitol by providing an aqueous solution of about 50 to 75 weight percent xylitol, no more than about 5 weight percent xylose and about 20 to 45 weight percent water and fractionally crystallizing xylitol from the aqueous solution to provide crystalline xylitol containing no more than about 0.10 weight percent xylose.

Abstract: A process for the hydrolysis of oat husks is carried out with alkali metal hydroxide or alkali metal chlorite in a first stage and with mineral acid in a second stage to provide D-(+)-xylose. The xylose can be recovered as such, or converted in situ to xylitol. The solid residue by-product of the aforesaid process for the hydrolysis of oat husks, following removal of the lignin content thereof, is readily convertible to cellulose.

Abstract: A process for the hydrolysis of deciduous wood wherein the hydrolysis is carried out in a first stage with an alkali metal hydroxide solution of concentration less than 4 percent by weight and in a second stage with mineral acid. A resulting product, D-(+)-xylose, can be recovered as such or converted directly to xylitol. The process also provides for the convenient recovery of lignin and cellulose present in the wood.

Abstract: A process for treating plant organic matter particles to increase the digestability thereof by ruminants including mixing the organic particles with water, a nontoxic acid catalyst to produce a Ph lower than 3.0, and a metallic catalyst of either iron or manganese, oxidizing the mixture under elevated pressure and temperature to fragment the cellulose molecules and break the lignin-cellulose bond, and hydrolizing the oxidized mixture under elevated pressure and temperature to convert at least a portion of the cellulose molecules to saccharides and saccharide acids.