A method for separating biomass components by a ternary system, which relates to a technical field of biomass separation, and includes the following steps of: cooking and separating a biomass raw material by using a cooking liquor consisting of organic acid, small aromatic nucleophilic organic molecule and hydrogen peroxide to obtain solid residue and extracting solution, washing and screening the solid residue to obtain paper pulp, and separating and extracting lignin and/or hemicellulose from the extracting solution. This cooking system could effectively minimize the content of residual lignin and other compounds with chromophore groups in the obtained pulp, directly producing the high-whiteness pulp with excellent performance without additional bleaching process. In addition, the hemicellulose saccharides and high-activity lignin can be also obtained, so that the method has an important significance for realizing high value and industrialization of biomass resource utilization.

The invention relates to a process for the isolation of components from plant material of Miscanthus. The process comprises three subsequent extractions. The first extraction yields an extract comprising one or more compounds selected from the group of antioxidants, polyphenols, proteins, sterols, acids, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes and aromatic compounds. Thereafter, the plant material is subjected to two extractions with a metal hydroxide (e.g. NaOH), the first performed at a lower pH than the second. These steps yield a sugar fraction and a Iignin fraction, respectively. Finally, from the residue after the third extraction, cellulose is isolated.

Described is a method of kraft pulping in which a phenolic compound is added to the cooking step. The phenolic compound is added at a time point between about 5 minutes and about 120 minutes prior to completion of the cooking step. The presence of the phenolic compound increases the extent of delignification in the cooking step.

Provided herein are compositions and processes concerning efficient downstream processing of products derived from organic acids pretreatment of plant materials.

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; an alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a substituted aromatic compound; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a heterocyclic compound; an alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a modifying agent comprising an arylsulfonic acid; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a modifying agent comprising a carbonyl-containing nitrogenous base compound; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.

An aqueous composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a heterocyclic compound; and a peroxide. Said composition being capable of delignifying biomass under milder conditions than conditions under which kraft pulping takes place.