Virent, Inc.

Paul Myren

Randy Douglas Cortright

Elizabeth Woods

Ming Qiao

Sean Connolly

John Kania

Elizabeth M Woods

Methods, reactor systems, and catalysts are provided for converting in a continuous process biomass to fuels and chemicals, including methods of converting the water insoluble components of biomass, such as hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, to volatile COoxygenates, such as alcohols, ketones, cyclic ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and mixtures thereof. In certain applications, the volatile COoxygenates can be collected and used as a final chemical product, or used in downstream processes to produce liquid fuels, chemicals and other products.

Production of chemicals and fuels from biomass

The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass to produce aqueous and organic products using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.

Solvolysis of biomass to produce aqueous and organic products

The present invention includes improved systems and methods for producing biomass-derived feedstocks for biofuel and biochemical manufacturing processes. The systems and methods use components that are capable of transferring relatively high concentrations of solid biomass utilizing pressure variations between vessels, and allows for the recovery and recycling of heterogeneous catalyst materials.

Apparatus and method for converting biomass to feedstock for biofuel and biochemical manufacturing processes

The present invention provides processes for deconstructing and purifying biomass using water. The method includes the steps of loading a reactor with biomass and water, establishing and maintaining a deconstruction temperature and pressure for a deconstruction period, flushing the reactor with water, and repeating these steps to produce a solid phase and a biomass hydrolysate.

Methods for biomass deconstruction and purification

Described are methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for converting biomass to fuels and chemicals in a batch and/or continuous process. The process generally involves the conversion of water insoluble components of biomass, such as hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, to volatile COoxygenates, such as alcohols, ketones, cyclic ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and mixtures thereof. In certain applications, the volatile COoxygenates can be collected and used as a final chemical product, or used in downstream processes to produce liquid fuels, chemicals and other products.

The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass using water. The method generally includes loading a reactor with biomass and water, heating the reactor to a first deconstruction temperature and establishing a first deconstruction pressure, maintaining the reactor at the first deconstruction temperature and a first deconstruction pressure for a first deconstruction period, flushing the reactor with water, and repeating these steps one or more times after establishing a second deconstructing temperature and second deconstruction pressure.

Serial deconstruction of biomass

The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.

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Madison, WI, United States of America

Paul Myren