Processes for converting lignocellulose to feedstock and downstream products are disclosed. The processes may include acid treatment of lignocellulose to produce a fermentation feedstock. In various instances, the processes include recovery or recycling of acid, such as recovery of hydrochloric acid from concentrated and/or dilute streams. Downstream products may include acrylic acid-based products such as diapers, paper and paper-based products, ethanol, biofuels such as biodiesel and fuel additives, and detergents.

Provided is a method of coalescing a substance comprising providing a first mixture comprising a substance, agitating at least a portion of the first mixture under turbulent conditions for a first time period, thereby causing particles comprising and substance to collide and form into larger particles.

The invention provides a method for manufacturing nano carbon micro particles, including the following steps: step one: digesting the Malvaceae plants to produce solutions containing lignin; step two: extracting lignin condensation from the solution containing lignin, and then removing salt from the lignin condensation to form material containing lignin; step three: carbonizing the material containing lignin to form carbides; step four: crushing the carbides; step five: performing high-frequency heat treatment on the crushed carbides to obtain carbon micro particles; further including step six: crushing again the carbon micro particles so that the carbon micro particles are nano-sized and finely pulverized. The high-purity carbon micro particles obtained by the present invention have excellent properties in aspects of conductivity, wear resistance, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, etc., which can be used as an electromagnetic sealing material, a wear-resistant material, a heating element, a heat-resistant material, corrosion resistant materials, the application is extremely wide.

The present invention relates to methods of processing lignocellulosic material to obtain hemicellulose sugars, cellulose sugars, lignin, cellulose and other high-value products such as asphalt and bio oils. Also provided are hemicellulose sugars, cellulose sugars, lignin, cellulose, and other high-value products such as asphalt and bio oils.

The present invention provides a novel cost efficient method for carbonizing lignocellulosic material to carbonized particles or agglomerates, preferably carbon powder. Also uses of said particles or agglomerates are disclosed.

The present invention relates to a process for purifying, such as salt/ion depletion, and/or ash reduction,and/or sulphur removal, and/or free sugar depletion,and/or VOC depletion or fractionating,preferably by using dewatering, of a slurry comprising a lignin or lignin derivative or a combination thereof. A lignin or lignin derivative obtainable from said process and uses thereof are also disclosed.

An extrudable hydrogel composition useful for making a three-dimensional organ construct includes a cross-linkable prepolymer, a post-deposition crosslinking group, optionally, an initiator that catalyzes the reaction between the prepolymer and said the crosslinking group; live cells (e.g., plant, animal, or microbial cells), optionally at least one one growth factor, and optionally water to balance. Methods of using the same and products so made are also described.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising lignin and a solvent where the lignin is functionalized with an ether group.

The present invention relates to a method of treating biomass, comprising providing a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock; contacting the biomass feedstock in a mixture, which is formed by the biomass, water and an alkaline agent, with an oxidizing agent at an elevated temperature; and continuing the contacting of the biomass feedstock with the oxidizing agent until a notable part of the lignin is solubilised. The step of providing the biomass feedstock comprises contacting a biomass raw-material containing cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in an aqueous phase with an alkaline agent; continuing the contacting of the biomass with the alkaline agent until a significant portion of the hemicellulose is dissolved in the aqueous phase to provide a modified biomass; recovering the modified biomass; optionally opening the structure of the modified biomass by mechanical treatment; and using the modified biomass as a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock. Treating the biomass provides hemicellulose, lignin and cellulose fractions that have a multitude of applications in the bioeconomy.

Methods for converting waste streams from the wood pulping industry to high-value surfactants are described. For example, isolated lignin and lignosulfonate or waste streams containing lignin and lignosulfonate can be directly converted to surfactants, or they can be first converted to methylol derivatives and treated with further reagents to produce surfactants.