Simultaneous Catalytic Conversion of Cellulose and Lignin to a Liquid Fuel in an Ionic Liquid

Abstract

A process is disclosed for converting lignocellulosic material 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 conversion reaction is carried out in the presence of lignin. The lignin is at least partially converted in the process. The Ionic Liquid medium preferably is an inorganic molten salt hydrate.

1 . A process for catalytically converting a feedstock comprising cellulose and lignin to liquid fuel, said process comprising the steps of:
 (i) contacting the feedstock with an Ionic Liquid to cause the dissolution of at least part of the cellulose; and   (ii) contacting the dissolved cellulose with a catalyst in the presence of the lignin to cause conversion of the cellulose to a liquid fuel.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein at least part of the lignin is converted to a liquid fuel. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the Ionic Liquid comprises an organic cation or a molten salt hydrate. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the molten salt hydrate comprises a halogen anion. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 3  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. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the Ionic Liquid is a molten salt hydrate comprising ZnCl 2 , CaCl 2 , LiCl, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the feedstock comprises a lignocellulosic biomass material. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1  wherein step (ii) is carried out at a temperature in the range of from 200° C. to 600° C. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst comprises a material that is soluble in the Ionic Liquid or wherein the catalyst comprises a material that is insoluble in the Ionic Liquid. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of fluid catalytic cracking catalysts, cat cracker catalysts, hydrocracking catalysts, hydrogenation catalysts, hydrotreatment catalysts, pyrolysis catalysts, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst comprises a solid base. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst comprises alumina. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst comprises a calcined clay. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the lignin is completely converted. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the liquid fuel is insoluble in the Ionic Liquid. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 1  comprising the further step of separating the liquid fuel from the Ionic Liquid. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 1  comprising the further step of upgrading the liquid fuel. 
     
     
         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  claim 1  comprising the further step (iii) of removing the fuel from the Ionic Liquid.