Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Other

Glucan Biorenewables LLC

David Martin Alonso

James Anthony Dumesic

Jesse Quentin Bond

Stephanie G Wettstein

Thatcher W Root

Elif Ispir Gurbuz

Dong Wang

Ryan Michael West

Jeremy Scott Luterbacher

Mei Chia

Sikander Hussain Hakim

Jean Marcel Ribeiro Gallo

Elif I Gürbüz

Noemi Alonso

Described is a method to make linear alpha olefins. The method includes the steps of contacting a feedstock having a lactone and/or an unsaturated carboxylic acid with a solid acid catalyst having acidic catalytic sites including Lewis acid catalytic sites, for a time and a temperature wherein at least a fraction of the lactone and/or unsaturated carboxylic acid present in the feedstock is converted into a linear alpha olefin. The method may optionally take place in the presence of water. The solid acid catalyst should preferably have at least 50% Lewis acid catalytic sites.

Selective catalytic production of linear alpha olefins from lactones and unsaturated carboxylic acids

A method to produce levulinic acid (LA) and gamma-valerolactone (GVL) from biomass-derived cellulose or lignocellulose by selective extraction of LA using GVL and optionally converting the LA so isolated into GVL, with no purifications steps required to yield the GVL.

Solute-enhanced production of gamma-valerolactone (GVL) from aqueous solutions of levulinic acid

Described is a method of processing biomass to separate it into a liquid fraction enriched in solubilized C5-sugar-containing oligomers and C-5 sugar monomers and a solid fraction enriched in substantially insoluble cellulose and C6-sugar-containing oligomers. The method includes the steps of reacting biomass with a solvent system comprising water, at least one lactone, or at least one furan, or at least one cyclic ether, and at least one acid, for a time and at a temperature to yield the liquid and solid fractions. The liquid and solid fractions may then be separated. Gamma-valeroloactone is a preferred lactone for use in the solvent system. Tetrahydrofuran is a preferred furan species for use in the solvent system.

Biomass pre-treatment for co-production of high-concentration C5- and C6-carbohydrates and their derivatives

A corner guard for protecting wall junctions adjacent uneven support surfaces such as a stair and floor surface is provided. The corner guard in an as-used position with first and second leg members extending upright from a floor and an adjacent second surface at a higher elevation such as a stair, protects the wall surfaces intersecting from a first wall surface extending above the floor and a second wall surface extending from the higher second wall surface from impacts and abrasions such as a hose being pulled around the corner at the intersection of the first wall surface and second wall surface. Positioning to accommodate differing elevational heights of first and second surfaces is provided by translational engagement of the first and second leg.

Corner guard

Described is a process to produce hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) from biomass-derived sugars. The process includes the steps of reacting a C5 and/or C6 sugar-containing reactant derived from biomass in a monophasic or biphasic reaction solution comprising water and a co-solvent. The co-solvent can be beta-, gamma-, and/or delta-lactones derived from biomass, tetrahydrofuran (THF) derived from biomass, and/or methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF) derived from biomass. The reaction takes place in the presence of an acid catalyst and a dehydration catalyst for a time and under conditions such that at least a portion of glucose or fructose present in the reactant is converted to HMF.

Method to convert biomass to 5-(hydroxymethyl)-furfural (HMF) and furfural using lactones, furans, and pyrans as solvents

A process for producing hydrocarbons, especially Cor larger alkenes, from lactones, hydroxy-carboxylic acids, alkene-carboxylic acids, alcohols, or mixtures thereof, or an aqueous solution of lactones, hydroxy-carboxylic acids, alkene-carboxylic acids, alcohols, or mixtures thereof is described. The process includes reacting the starting materials with a first acid catalyst to yield a first product mixture. The first product mixture is then reacted with a second acid catalyst (which can be the same or different from the first acid catalyst) to yield a second product mixture comprising hydrocarbons, for example alkenes having a chain length of C. The process is suitable for producing hydrocarbons that can be used in or as liquid transportation fuels.

Integrated process and apparatus to produce hydrocarbons from aqueous solutions of lactones, hydroxy-carboxylic acids, alkene-carboxylic acids, and/or alcohols

A method to make levulinic acid (LA), furfural, or gamma-valerolactone (GVL). React cellulose (and/or other Ccarbohydrates) or xylose (and/or other Ccarbohydrates) or combinations thereof in a monophasic reaction medium comprising GVL and an acid; or (ii) a biphasic reaction system comprising an organic layer comprising GVL, and a substantially immiscible aqueous layer. At least a portion of the cellulose (and/or other Ccarbohydrates), if present, is converted to LA and at least a portion of the xylose (and/or other Ccarbohydrates), if present, is converted into furfural.

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A method to produce levulinic acid (LA) and &#x3b3;-valerolactone (GVL) from biomass-derived cellulose by selective extraction of LA by alkylphenol (AP) and hydrogenation of LA, in which mineral acid used in the method is recycled and the final concentration of GVL is increased by successive extraction/hydrogenation steps to allow for effective separation by distillation.

Method to produce and recover levulinic acid and/or gamma-valerolactone from aqueous solutions using alkylphenols

Described is a catalytic process for converting biomass to furan derivatives (e.g., furfural, furfuryl alcohol, etc.) using a biphasic reactor containing a reactive aqueous phase and an organic extracting phase containing an alkylphenol. The process provides a cost-effective route for producing furfural, furfuryl alcohol, levulinic acid hydroxymethylfurfural, &#x3b3;-valerolactone, and the like. The products formed are useful as value-added intermediates to produce polymers, as precursors to diesel fuel, and as fuel additives.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

David Martin Alonso