Process for Converting Cellulose and/or Hemicellulose in a Liquid Fuel Comprising Dissolution in Ionic Liquid

Abstract

A process is disclosed for converting cellulose to liquid fuels. In the process the cellulose is dissolved in an ionic Liquid medium. The conversion process may comprise pyrolysis, thermal cracking, hydrocracking, catalytic cracking, hydrotreatment, or a combination thereof. The Ionic Liquid medium preferably is an inorganic molten salt hydrate.

1 . A process for converting a cellulosic material to a liquid fuel, said process comprising the steps of:
 (i) dissolving at least the cellulose component of the cellulosic material in an Ionic Liquid; and   (ii) converting the dissolved cellulose component to a liquid fuel.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the Ionic Liquid is an inorganic molten salt hydrate or an organic cation. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the cellulosic material is substantially fully soluble in the Ionic Liquid. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4  wherein the cellulosic material is selected from aquatic biomass, cotton linters, paper, cardboard and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the cellulosic material comprises at least one component that is insoluble in the Ionic Liquid. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6  wherein the cellulosic material comprises lignocellulose. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 6  comprising the further step of separating the at least one component that is insoluble in the Ionic Liquid prior to converting the dissolved cellulose component. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 6  wherein the at least one component that is insoluble in the Ionic Liquid comprises lignin. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1  wherein step (ii) is carried out in the absence of a catalyst or in the presence of a catalyst. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 1  wherein step (ii) is selected from pyrolysis, thermal cracking, hydrocracking, catalytic cracking, hydrotreatment or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 1  wherein step (ii) is carried out at a temperature in the range of from 200° C. to 600° C., or at a temperature in the range of from 200° C. to 450° C. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the Ionic Liquid medium comprises a molten salt hydrate. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15  wherein the molten salt hydrate comprises a halogen anion. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 16  wherein the halogen anion is chloride. 
     
     
         18 . The process  claim 15  wherein the molten salt hydrate comprises a cation selected from the group consisting of Zn, Ba, Ca, Li, Al, Cu, Fe, Cu(NH 3 ) x  and Cr. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the Ionic Liquid is a molten salt hydrate comprising ZnCl 2 , CaCl 2 , LiCl, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 1  wherein step (ii) is carried out under autogenous pressure. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 1  wherein water is removed from the Ionic Liquid during step (ii). 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the liquid fuel is insoluble in the Ionic Liquid. 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 1  comprising the further step (iii) of removing the fuel from the Ionic Liquid.