A process for large scale and energy efficient production of oxygenates from sugar is disclosed in which a sugar feedstock is introduced into a thermolytic fragmentation reactor including a fluidized stream of heat carrying particles which are separated from the reaction product and directed to a reheater comprising a resistance heating system.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the conversion of a source material (e.g., a depolymerized oligosaccharide mixture, a monomeric sugar, a hydrolysate, or a mixture of monomeric sugars) to intermediate molecules containing 7 to 26 contiguous carbon atoms. These intermediates may also be converted to saturated hydrocarbons. Such saturated hydrocarbons are useful as, for example, fuels.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the conversion of a source material (e.g., a depolymerized oligosaccharide mixture, a monomeric sugar, a hydrolysate, or a mixture of monomeric sugars) to intermediate molecules containing 7 to 26 contiguous carbon atoms. These intermediates may also be converted to saturated hydrocarbons. Such saturated hydrocarbons are useful as, for example, fuels.

The present invention provides processes, methods, and systems for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to liquid fuels and chemicals. The method generally includes the reaction of a hydrolysate from a biomass deconstruction process with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising one of more oxygenated compounds. The process also includes reacting the reaction product with a condensation catalyst to produce C.sub.4+ compounds useful as fuels and chemicals.

The present invention provides processes, methods, and systems for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to liquid fuels and chemicals. The method generally includes the reaction of a hydrolysate from a biomass deconstruction process with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising one of more oxygenated compounds. The process also includes reacting the reaction product with a condensation catalyst to produce C.sub.4+ compounds useful as fuels and chemicals.

A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol comprising the steps of hydrogenating a composition comprising C.sub.2-oxygenate compounds in the gas phase in the presence of a catalyst.

A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol comprising the steps of hydrogenating a composition comprising C.sub.2-oxygenate compounds in the gas phase in the presence of a catalyst.

A process for the production of glycolaldehyde by thermolytic fragmentation of a carbohydrate feedstock including mono- and/or di-saccharide(s) and a system suitable for performing the process. The process and the system are suitable for industrial application, and the process may be performed in a continuous process. The salt-depleted carbohydrate feedstock may include one or more impurities selected from the group of arsenic, lead, sulfate, sulfur dioxide, and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural.

A process for the production of glycolaldehyde by thermolytic fragmentation of a carbohydrate feedstock including mono- and/or di-saccharide(s) and a system suitable for performing the process. The process and the system are suitable for industrial application, and the process may be performed in a continuous process. The salt-depleted carbohydrate feedstock may include one or more impurities selected from the group of arsenic, lead, sulfate, sulfur dioxide, and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural.

A process for the production of glycolaldehyde by thermolytic fragmentation of a carbohydrate feedstock including mono- and/or di-saccharide(s) and a system suitable for performing the process. The process and the system are suitable for industrial application, and the process may be performed in a continuous process. The salt-depleted carbohydrate feedstock may include one or more impurities selected from the group of arsenic, lead, sulfate, sulfur dioxide, and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural.