Utilizing a multiphase reactor for the conversion of biomass to produce substituted furans

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods to produce substituted furans (e.g., halomethylfurfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, and furfural), by acid-catalyzed conversion of biomass using a gaseous acid in a multiphase reactor, such as a fluidized bed reactor.

1 - 83 . (canceled) 
     
     
         84 : A method for producing furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, halomethylfurfural, optionally substituted alkylfurfural, levulinic acid, or formic acid, or any combination thereof in a gas-solid phase reactor, the method comprising:
 feeding solid feedstock into a gas-solid phase reactor, wherein the solid feedstock comprises biomass or sugar, or any combination thereof;   feeding gaseous acid into the gas-solid phase reactor;
 wherein: 
 (i) the solid feedstock has less than 10% water by weight; 
 (ii) the gaseous acid has less than 10% water by weight; or 
 (iii) both (i) and (ii); 
   mixing the solid feedstock and the gaseous acid to form a reaction mixture; and   producing furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, halomethylfurfural, alkylfurfural, levulinic acid, or formic acid, or any combination thereof, from at least a portion of the solid feedstock and at least a portion of the gaseous acid in the reaction mixture.   
     
     
         85 : The method of  claim 84 , wherein the solid feedstock has between 1% and 10% water by weight. 
     
     
         86 : The method of  claim 84 , wherein the reaction mixture has less than about 10% water by weight. 
     
     
         87 : A system for producing furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, halomethylfurfural, optionally substituted alkylfurfural, levulinic acid, or formic acid, or any combination thereof, wherein the system comprises:
 solid feedstock, wherein the solid feedstock comprises biomass, sugar, or a combination thereof,   gaseous acid; and   a multiphase reactor configured to receive the solid feedstock and the gaseous acid and provide a reaction mixture comprising producing furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, halomethylfurfural, alkylfurfural, levulinic acid, or formic acid, or any combination thereof,   wherein:
 (i) the solid feedstock has less than 10% water by weight; 
 (ii) the gaseous acid has less than 10% water by weight; or 
 (iii) both (i) and (ii). 
   
     
     
         88 : The system of  claim 87 , wherein the solid feedstock has between 1% and 10% water by weight. 
     
     
         89 : The system of  claim 87 , wherein the reaction mixture has less than about 10% water by weight. 
     
     
         90 : A composition, comprising:
 a solid feedstock, wherein the solid feedstock comprises biomass or sugar, or a combination thereof;   gaseous acid; and   furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, halomethylfurfural, optionally substituted alkylfurfural, levulinic acid, or formic acid or any combination thereof;   wherein:
 (i) the solid feedstock has less than 10% water by weight; 
 (ii) the gaseous acid has less than 10% water by weight; or 
 (iii) both (i) and (ii). 
   
     
     
         91 : The composition of  claim 90 , wherein the solid feedstock has between 1% and 10% water by weight. 
     
     
         92 : The composition of  claim 90 , wherein the composition has less than about 10% water by weight.