METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING CELLULOSIC BIOMASS

摘要

Separation of a product of digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be challenging due to the various components contained therein. Methods and systems for processing cellulosic biomass, particularly a reaction product of a hydrothermal reaction containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, comprise providing the reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid extraction unit. The liquid-liquid extraction unit can provide an aqueous portion and a non-aqueous portion, where these portions can be separated into various fractions individually. For example, desirable compounds in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and optionally combined to be further processed into a fuels product. Heavier components in the aqueous portion and non-aqueous portion can be recovered from the portions individually and used in the process, such as phenolics that can be used as a digestion solvent.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
heating cellulosic biomass solids, molecular hydrogen, a catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen, and a digestion solvent in a reactor in a first reaction zone to produce a first reaction product; providing an extraction solvent and at least a portion of the first reaction product to a separation zone comprising a liquid-liquid extraction unit to recover an aqueous stream and a non-aqueous stream, wherein the aqueous stream comprises a major portion of water in said portion of the first reaction product; flashing at least a portion of the non-aqueous stream to recover an overhead fraction and a bottom fraction, wherein the overhead fraction from the flashing comprises a major portion of compounds with a normal boiling point of less than 150 degrees C. in said portion of the non-aqueous stream, and wherein the bottom fraction from flashing comprises compounds with a normal boiling point of 150 degrees C. or higher; providing a first portion of the bottom fraction from flashing to the liquid-liquid extraction unit; and providing a second portion of the bottom fraction from flashing to a distillation unit to recover a distillate overhead fraction, a distillate middle fraction, and a distillate bottom fraction.