Embodiments herein relate to apparatus and systems for phenolic and ketone synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, a method of producing phenolics and ketones is included. The method can specifically include forming a reaction mixture comprising nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and water. The method can also include contacting the reaction mixture with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of 350 degrees Celsius or higher and a pressure of at least about 3200 psi to form a reaction product mixture. The reaction product mixture can include at least about 20 wt. % phenolics and at least about 10 wt. % ketones as a percentage of the total mass of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC). Other embodiments are also included herein.

Embodiments herein relate to apparatus and systems for phenolic and ketone synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, a method of producing phenolics and ketones is included. The method can specifically include forming a reaction mixture comprising nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and water. The method can also include contacting the reaction mixture with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of 350 degrees Celsius or higher and a pressure of at least about 3200 psi to form a reaction product mixture. The reaction product mixture can include at least about 20 wt. % phenolics and at least about 10 wt. % ketones as a percentage of the total mass of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC). Other embodiments are also included herein.

A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol comprising the steps of pyrolyzing a monosaccharide and hydrogenating the product composition in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent, wherein the pressure of the hydrogenation reaction is 40 bar or greater.

A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol comprising the steps of pyrolyzing a monosaccharide and hydrogenating the product composition in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent, wherein the pressure of the hydrogenation reaction is 40 bar or greater.

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 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 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.