Organosolv process

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an organosolv biorefining process. The present process comprises treating a lignocellulosic biomass in the presence of a solvent and under certain conditions to separate at least a part of the lignin from the biomass.

1 . An organosolv process for treating a lignocellulosic biomass, comprising:
 a. adding the biomass to a reaction vessel and exposing the biomass to a solvent wherein:
 i. the ratio of solvent to biomass is from about 10:1 to about 4:1; 
 ii. the solvent comprises from 40 to 60% w/w ethanol; 
 iii. from about 1.5% to about 2.5% (based on dry weight wood) of an acid is added; 
   b. elevating the temperature of the biomass/solvent mixture to from about 140° C. to about 170° C. for a total period of from about 50 minutes to about 200 minutes to form a pulp and an extraction liquor said liquor comprising derivatives of native lignin;   c. recovering at least a portion of the extraction liquor; and   d. recovering at least a portion of the pulp;   wherein the pressure in the reaction vessel is about 18 bar or less.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure in the reaction vessel is about 16 bar or less. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the elevated temperature of step (b) is from about 150° C. to about 165° C. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the elevated temperature of step (b) is maintained for about 120 minutes to about 180 minutes. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises from 50% to 60% w/w ethanol. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein from about 2% to about 2.5% (based on dry weight wood) of an acid is added. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the pH of the biomass/solvent mixture is from about 1.6 to about 2.3. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of solvent to biomass is from about 9:1 to about 7:1. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the biomass comprises softwood feedstock. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the biomass comprises hardwood feedstock. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the biomass comprises annual fibre feedstock. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the yield of lignin recovered from the extraction liquor is 60% or greater of the theoretical maximum yield. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the yield of lignin recovered from the extraction liquor is 70% or greater of the theoretical maximum yield. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the yield of lignin recovered from the extraction liquor is 80% or greater of the theoretical maximum yield. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the pretreated biomass solids have a TCT equal to 120 h or less and an OGC of 50% or higher. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the recovered pulp is converted into carbohydrates which are subsequently converted into ethanol. 
     
     
         18 . An organosolv process for treating a lignocellulosic biomass, comprising:
 a. adding the biomass to a reaction vessel and exposing the biomass to a solvent wherein:
 i. the ratio of solvent to biomass is from about 10:1 to about 4:1; 
 ii. the solvent comprises from 40 to 60% w/w ethanol; 
 iii. the initial pH of the biomass/solvent mixture is from about 1.5 to about 2.5; 
   b. elevating the temperature of the biomass/solvent mixture to from about 140° C. to about 170° C. for a total period of from about 50 minutes to about 200 minutes to form a pulp and an extraction liquor said liquor comprising derivatives of native lignin;   c. recovering the extraction liquor; and   d. recovering the pulp;   wherein the pressure in the reaction vessel is about 18 bar or less.   
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the pressure in the reaction vessel is about 16 bar or less. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the elevated temperature of step (b) is from about 150° C. to about 165° C. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the elevated temperature of step (b) is maintained for about 120 minutes to about 180 minutes.