An apparatus for treating a biomass feedstock at a high temperature, includes a cooling device 90 for cooling a biomass treated liquid at a high temperature; an enzymatic saccharification tank 103 for saccharifying a cooled treated liquid 101B with an enzyme; a solid-liquid separation apparatus 112 for removing water-slightly soluble substances contained in a saccharide solution 104 taken out from the enzymatic saccharification tank 103 and a foreign substance removing unit 113 provided with a microfiltration (MF) membrane 113a; a dilution tank 132, disposed downstream of the foreign substance removing unit 113, for diluting the saccharide solution from which the water-slightly soluble substances are removed by adding water thereto; a water separation unit 116, provided with a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane 116a, for removing water 114 from the diluted saccharide solution so as to obtain concentrated saccharide solution 115.

An apparatus for treating a biomass feedstock at a high temperature, includes a cooling device 90 for cooling a biomass treated liquid at a high temperature; an enzymatic saccharification tank 103 for saccharifying a cooled treated liquid 101B with an enzyme; a solid-liquid separation apparatus 112 for removing water-slightly soluble substances contained in a saccharide solution 104 taken out from the enzymatic saccharification tank 103 and a foreign substance removing unit 113 provided with a microfiltration (MF) membrane 113a; a dilution tank 132, disposed downstream of the foreign substance removing unit 113, for diluting the saccharide solution from which the water-slightly soluble substances are removed by adding water thereto; a water separation unit 116, provided with a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane 116a, for removing water 114 from the diluted saccharide solution so as to obtain concentrated saccharide solution 115.

In alternative embodiments, provided herein are methods and industrial processes for generating high purity (high alpha cellulose) pulp from lignocellulosic feedstocks, comprising directly contacting a lignocellulosic feedstock with a system comprising a super critical or near-super critical fluid or mixture of fluids, whereby the partial pressure of the system provides for the alcoholysis, hydrolysis or a combination thereof of the feedstock at reduced temperatures and pressures, followed by an upgrading step wherein a low-purity cellulosic material generated in the super critical or near-super critical reaction step is treated with an alkaline solution. Also provided herein are systems and methods for producing a high purity cellulose material using reduced amounts of alkaline material.

In alternative embodiments, provided herein are methods and industrial processes for generating high purity (high alpha cellulose) pulp from lignocellulosic feedstocks, comprising directly contacting a lignocellulosic feedstock with a system comprising a super critical or near-super critical fluid or mixture of fluids, whereby the partial pressure of the system provides for the alcoholysis, hydrolysis or a combination thereof of the feedstock at reduced temperatures and pressures, followed by an upgrading step wherein a low-purity cellulosic material generated in the super critical or near-super critical reaction step is treated with an alkaline solution. Also provided herein are systems and methods for producing a high purity cellulose material using reduced amounts of alkaline material.

A sugar composition comprising at least 40% dissolved solids in an aqueous solution having a viscosity at least 10% lower than a 42 DE (Dextrose Equivalents) reference solution with a same dissolved solids concentration at a given temperature. Another sugar composition comprising at least 30% glucose relative to total sugars, at least 10% mannose relative to total sugars, at least 5% xylose relative to total sugars, and less than 0.25% ash. Another sugar composition comprising at least 30% glucose relative to total sugars at least 10% mannose relative to total sugars, at least 5% xylose relative to total sugars, and at least 2% total furfurals.

A method of producing a sugar liquid includes a step of filtering a saccharified liquid derived from cellulose-containing biomass, through a nanofiltration membrane and/or reverse osmosis membrane; and a two-step washing step of washing the nanofiltration membrane and/or reverse osmosis membrane after the filtration, with an acid washing liquid and then with an alkali washing liquid; is provided. The method of producing a sugar liquid in which a cellulose-derived sugar liquid is processed through a nanofiltration membrane and/or reverse osmosis membrane is/are effectively washed in a contaminated separation membrane(s).

A method of producing a sugar liquid includes a step of filtering a saccharified liquid derived from cellulose-containing biomass, through a nanofiltration membrane and/or reverse osmosis membrane; and a two-step washing step of washing the nanofiltration membrane and/or reverse osmosis membrane after the filtration, with an acid washing liquid and then with an alkali washing liquid; is provided. The method of producing a sugar liquid in which a cellulose-derived sugar liquid is processed through a nanofiltration membrane and/or reverse osmosis membrane is/are effectively washed in a contaminated separation membrane(s).

The invention relates to a method for separating a mixture in a system comprising a plurality of chromatography columns, the method successively comprising, in a cyclical manner, in a given part of the system, steps of collecting a raffinate, injecting the mixture to be separated, collecting an extract and injecting a mobile phase; wherein the method further comprises measuring the purity and/or yield of a collected fraction, comprising: the determination, in a node of the system, of the histories of at least two variables that are representative of the concentration of at least two species contained in the mixture to be separated using at least one fast online detector; the determination of the concentration of at least two species of the mixture to be separated in the collected fraction based on these histories; and the determination of the purity and/or yield of the collected fraction based on these concentrations.

The invention relates to a method for separating a mixture in a system comprising a plurality of chromatography columns, the method successively comprising, in a cyclical manner, in a given part of the system, steps of collecting a raffinate, injecting the mixture to be separated, collecting an extract and injecting a mobile phase; wherein the method further comprises measuring the purity and/or yield of a collected fraction, comprising: the determination, in a node of the system, of the histories of at least two variables that are representative of the concentration of at least two species contained in the mixture to be separated using at least one fast online detector; the determination of the concentration of at least two species of the mixture to be separated in the collected fraction based on these histories; and the determination of the purity and/or yield of the collected fraction based on these concentrations.

Systems and methods for producing carbohydrate (e.g., sugar) streams (and recycling enzymes) from a pretreated or untreated biomass such as cellulosic feedstock, including, for example, brown stock feedstock, or waste or recycled fiber sludge produced in the pulp and paper industry, such as for biochemical (e.g., biofuel) production, are provided. In one example, the system and method can produce high purity C6 (glucose and/or fructose) and/or C5 (xylose) sugar streams, and other carbohydrates and/or fibrous materials, from cellulosic feedstocks, such as brown stock or waste fiber sludge, that can be effectively converted into various biochemical products, such as ethanol.