Biomass Conversion Catalyst System for Humin Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transforming lignocellulosic biomass or cellulose into mono-oxidized or poly-oxidized products often result in significant formation of non-upgradable humins and require multiple stages or costly purification processes, limiting efficiency and productivity.
Innovation Solution
Simultaneously introducing a combination of at least two different homogeneous catalysts and one or more heterogeneous catalysts in the same reaction chamber, under specific temperature and pressure conditions, with water or a water-solvent mixture, to directly produce mono-oxidized or poly-oxidized upgradable products while minimizing humin formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current methods for transforming lignocellulosic biomass into mono-oxidized or poly-oxidized products are used, then conversion can be achieved, but significant formation of non-upgradable humins occurs and multiple stages or costly purification processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple catalysts (homogeneous and heterogeneous) into a single reaction system to achieve both high conversion and minimal humin formation simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate purification stages. This merging of catalytic functions resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient conversion without the harmful byproduct formation that typically requires additional processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite catalytic systems comprising both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts working together in the same reaction medium. This composite approach allows the system to achieve high selectivity for desired products while suppressing humin formation, thereby improving productivity without generating harmful byproducts that would require costly purification.
2Productivity
If current transformation methods are used, then products can be obtained, but multiple stages or costly purification processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple processing functions into a single reaction stage by using a combined catalytic system that performs both conversion and selective product formation simultaneously. This eliminates the need for multiple sequential stages and costly purification processes, directly reducing device complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables continuous conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to desired products in a single reaction stage without interruption for intermediate purification. The catalytic system maintains high selectivity throughout the reaction, allowing continuous operation and eliminating the discontinuous purification steps that increase process complexity.
3Productivity
If maximum conversion of lignocellulosic biomass is achieved, then product yield increases, but humin formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite catalytic systems that work synergistically to achieve high conversion while suppressing humin formation. The combination of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts creates a selective reaction pathway that converts biomass to desired products even at high conversion levels, preventing the typical trade-off where increased conversion leads to increased byproduct formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes reaction parameters including temperature, pressure, and catalyst composition to achieve a window of operation where maximum conversion is attained without significant humin formation. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system maintains high product yield while minimizing substance loss to unwanted byproducts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the maximum conversion and acceleration of the conversion kinetics of lignocellulosic biomass or cellulose, reducing humin formation and eliminating the need for intermediate treatment or purification steps, thereby improving product yield and process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The patent application WO2013/015990 describes a process for producing polyols and in particular alcohols, organic acids, aldehydes, monosaccharides, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, glycerol, proteins and depolymerized lignin, as well as hydrocarbons by the hydrolysis and the hydrogenation of microcrystalline celluloses
Implementation Method 2
The patent application WO2013/015990 describes a process for producing polyols and in particular alcohols, organic acids, aldehydes, monosaccharides, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, glycerol, proteins and depolymerized lignin, as well as hydrocarbons by the hydrolysis and the hydrogenation of microcrystalline celluloses
Implementation Method 3
The homogeneous catalyst is described as an organic or mineral Brønsted acid that is preferably selected from among the acids H2SO4, H3PO4, H3PO3, H3PO2 and CH3COOH
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for transformation of lignocellulosic biomass or cellulose using in a simultaneous manner an original combination of at least two homogeneous catalysts and one or more heterogeneous catalyst(s). The use of these catalysts makes it possible to obtain mono-oxidized or poly-oxidized upgradable products directly and to limit the formation of non-upgradable products. Non-upgradable products are defined as soluble and non-soluble humins, i.e., products of high molecular weight obtained from undesirable condensation reactions of sugars and their derivatives.