Continuous process for conversion of lignin to useful compounds

Abstract

This specification discloses a method to convert a lignin biomass feedstream to a converted lignin stream comprising aromatic compounds. The process comprises combining a lignin biomass feedstream comprising lignin, at least one solvent and at least one catalyst in a reaction vessel. Preferably the ratio of moles of catalyst to moles of lignin is in the range of between 4:1 and 15:1. The lignin biomass feedstream is then deoxygenated to a converted lignin stream at a deoxygenation temperature and a deoxygenation pressure for a deoxygenation time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A process for the conversion of a lignin biomass feedstream to a converted lignin stream said process comprising the steps of:
 A) combining the lignin biomass feedstream comprising lignin and at least a first solvent with a first catalyst in a reaction vessel, wherein the ratio of moles of first catalyst to moles of lignin is in the range of between 4:1 and 15:1, and   B) deoxygenating the lignin biomass feedstream to a converted lignin stream at a deoxygenation temperature and a deoxygenation pressure for a deoxygenation time.   
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the ratio of moles of first catalyst to moles of lignin is in the range of between 4:1 and 12:1. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the ratio of moles of first catalyst to moles of lignin is in the range of between 5:1 and 12:1. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the ratio of moles of first catalyst to moles of lignin is in the range of between 4:1 and 9:1. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the ratio of moles of first catalyst to moles of lignin is in the range of between 5:1 and 9:1. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the deoxygenation temperature is in the range of between 205° C. and 325° C. 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the deoxygenation temperature is in the range of between 215° C. and 300° C. 
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the deoxygenation temperature is in the range of between 225° C. and 280° C. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the first catalyst comprises a metal catalyst wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, molybdenum, cobalt, and iron. 
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the deoxygenation pressure is in the range of between 60 bar and 100 bar. 
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the deoxygenation pressure is in the range of between 70 bar and 100 bar. 
     
     
         28 . The process of  claims 17 , wherein the deoxygenation pressure is in the range of between 75 bar and 95 bar. 
     
     
         29 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the deoxygenation time is in the range of between 5 minutes and 2 hours. 
     
     
         30 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the deoxygenation time is in the range of between 10 minutes and 1.5 hours. 
     
     
         31 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the deoxygenation time is in the range of between 15 minutes and 1 hour. 
     
     
         32 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the reaction vessel is an ebullating bed reactor.