Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with surprisingly low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the nanocellulose to form completely renewable composites.

Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with surprisingly low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the nanocellulose to form completely renewable composites.

Various processes are disclosed for producing nanocellulose materials following steam extraction or hot-water digestion of biomass. Processes are also disclosed for producing nanocellulose materials from a wide variety of starting pulps or pretreated biomass feedstocks. The nanocellulose materials may be used as rheology modifiers in many applications. Water-based and oil-based drilling fluid formulations and additives are provided. Also, water-based and oil-based hydraulic fracturing fluid formulations and additives are provided. In other embodiments, polymer-nanocellulose composites are provided.

Various processes are disclosed for producing nanocellulose materials following steam extraction or hot-water digestion of biomass. Processes are also disclosed for producing nanocellulose materials from a wide variety of starting pulps or pretreated biomass feedstocks. The nanocellulose materials may be used as rheology modifiers in many applications. Water-based and oil-based drilling fluid formulations and additives are provided. Also, water-based and oil-based hydraulic fracturing fluid formulations and additives are provided. In other embodiments, polymer-nanocellulose composites are provided.

Some variations provide a new nanolignocellulose composition comprising, on a bone-dry, ash-free, and acetyl-free basis, from 35 wt % to 80 wt % cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose microfibrils, or a combination thereof, from 15 wt % to 45 wt % lignin, and from 5 wt % to 20 wt % hemicelluloses. The hemicelluloses may contain xylan or mannan as the major component. Novel properties arise from the hemicellulose content that is intermediate between high hemicellulose content of raw biomass and low hemicellulose content of conventional nanocellulose. The nanolignocellulose composition is hydrophobic due to the presence of lignin. Processes for making and using the nanolignocellulose compositions are also described.

Some variations provide a new nanolignocellulose composition comprising, on a bone-dry, ash-free, and acetyl-free basis, from 35 wt % to 80 wt % cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose microfibrils, or a combination thereof, from 15 wt % to 45 wt % lignin, and from 5 wt % to 20 wt % hemicelluloses. The hemicelluloses may contain xylan or mannan as the major component. Novel properties arise from the hemicellulose content that is intermediate between high hemicellulose content of raw biomass and low hemicellulose content of conventional nanocellulose. The nanolignocellulose composition is hydrophobic due to the presence of lignin. Processes for making and using the nanolignocellulose compositions are also described.

In general, the present invention is directed to a method of cooking wood in a cooking liquor medium. The method comprises a step of providing wood to a treatment vessel and contacting the wood with a digester additive composition. The composition comprises a first surfactant comprising an anionic surfactant, a derivative thereof, a salt thereof, or any combination thereof and a second surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene glycol or a derivative thereof. Additionally, according to another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a digester additive composition comprising a first surfactant comprising an anionic surfactant, a derivative thereof, a salt thereof, or any combination thereof and a second surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene glycol or a derivative thereof.

In general, the present invention is directed to a method of cooking wood in a cooking liquor medium. The method comprises a step of providing wood to a treatment vessel and contacting the wood with a digester additive composition. The composition comprises a first surfactant comprising an anionic surfactant, a derivative thereof, a salt thereof, or any combination thereof and a second surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene glycol or a derivative thereof. Additionally, according to another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a digester additive composition comprising a first surfactant comprising an anionic surfactant, a derivative thereof, a salt thereof, or any combination thereof and a second surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene glycol or a derivative thereof.

A process for the production of ethoxylated and hydroxylated lignin fractions, cellulose, lignocellulosic sugars, and ethanol in high yields is provided. The process comprises steaming, pretreatment, chemical recovery, saccharification, and optionally fermentation. A combination of pretreatment conditions is provided resulting in simultaneously high yields of ethoxylated or hydroxylated lignin and cellulose or cellulosic sugars and hernicellulosic sugars. High yield production of ethanol through fermentation can be obtained using this process.

A modified aqueous acid composition comprising: sulfuric acid; a compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety; and a peroxide; wherein sulfuric acid, said compound comprising an amine moiety and a sulfonic acid moiety and said peroxide are present in a molar ratio of no less than 1:1:1. Also disclosed are methods of using such compositions.