Method for isolating cellulose from a biomass and products provided therefrom

Abstract

A pretreated biomass is subjected to high frequency pulses and shear forces without denaturing and/or degrading the individual components of the biomass. The biomass is then subjected to compressive force to separate a first liquid fraction from a first fractionated biomass. The first fractionated biomass may again then be subjected to the same high frequency pulses and shear forces as previously, particularly if there are hemicellulose and/or sugars still present in the first fractionated biomass. Compressive forces are used to separate a second liquid fraction from a second fractionated biomass. The second fractionated biomass is subjected to oxidation. The second fractioned biomass is then subjected to compressive forces to separate out one or more water insoluble components of the biomass in water soluble form and to provide cellulose that has not been denatured and/or degraded and has a lignin contact of less than 7 percent.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for providing cellulose isolated from a biomass, the process comprising:
 a) pretreating the biomass;   b) subjecting the pretreated biomass to high frequency pulses and shear forces without denaturing and/or degrading the individual components of the biomass;   c) subjecting the biomass to compressive force to separate a first liquid fraction from a first fractionated biomass;   d) subjecting the first fractionated biomass to conditions to raise the pH above 9 and then subjecting the biomass to the same high frequency pulses and shear forces of step b);   e) subjecting the first fractionated biomass to compressive forces to separate a second liquid fraction from a second fractionated biomass wherein the second fractionated biomass is substantially devoid of hemicelluloses and sugars;   f) subjecting the second fractionated biomass substantially devoid of hemicelluloses and sugars to oxidation at a pH above 7; and   g) subjecting the second fractionated biomass to compressive forces to separate one or more water soluble components from the second fractionated biomass to provide a third fractionated biomass comprising cellulose that is substantially devoid of hemicellulose, sugar, and lignin.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising after step e):
 subjecting the second fractionated biomass again to conditions to raise the pH above 9 and subjecting the second fractionated biomass to compressive force to separate one or more water soluble components from the second biomass biomass.   
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the steps are conducted at ambient temperature to about 60° C. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising after g):
 h) subjecting the third fractionated biomass to oxidation at a pH above 7; and   i) subjecting the third fractionated biomass to compressive forces to separate one or more water soluble components from the biomass to provide a fourth fractionated biomass comprising cellulose that is substantially devoid of hemicellulose, sugar, and lignin.   
     
     
         5 . A cellulose having less than 7 percent lignin that has not been denatured and/or degraded by extreme temperature, pressure or chemical conditions. 
     
     
         6 . A cellulose having less than 7 percent lignin that has not been denatured and/or degraded by extreme temperature, pressure or chemical conditions prepared by the process of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A paper or paper product prepared from the cellulose of  claim 5 . 
     
     
         8 . A process for providing cellulose isolated from a biomass comprising subjecting a biomass to conditions to separate cellulose from the biomass to provide a fraction comprising cellulose and lignin without denaturing or degrading the cellulose and then oxidizing the fraction to provide cellulose having less than 7 percent lignin.