The invention provides a process to separate levulinic acid from a biomass hydrolysate said process comprising extraction using as an organic solvent a substituted benzene comprising (i) at least one OR.sub.1 group wherein R.sub.1 is H or CH.sub.3; and (ii) at least one C.sub.1-3 alkyl group, wherein each of the at least one OR.sub.1 group is ortho positioned to at least one C.sub.1-3 alkyl group. Using said substituted benzene as extraction solvent gives good extraction efficiency, the extraction can advantageously be carried out at elevated temperature, and is very suitable for subsequent distillation steps.

The invention provides a process to separate levulinic acid from a biomass hydrolysate said process comprising extraction using as an organic solvent a substituted benzene comprising (i) at least one OR.sub.1 group wherein R.sub.1 is H or CH.sub.3; and (ii) at least one C.sub.1-3 alkyl group, wherein each of the at least one OR.sub.1 group is ortho positioned to at least one C.sub.1-3 alkyl group. Using said substituted benzene as extraction solvent gives good extraction efficiency, the extraction can advantageously be carried out at elevated temperature, and is very suitable for subsequent distillation steps.

The invention describes processes to prepare levulinic acid, formic acid and/or hydroxymethyl furfural from various biomass materials.

The invention describes processes to prepare levulinic acid, formic acid and/or hydroxymethyl furfural from various biomass materials.

A process is provided for improved levulinic acid production form biomass, wherein furfural is recovered from vapor flow from the levulinic acid production reactor. The reaction conditions can be chosen to enable good yield for both products and minimization of undesired side products.

A process is provided for improved levulinic acid production form biomass, wherein furfural is recovered from vapor flow from the levulinic acid production reactor. The reaction conditions can be chosen to enable good yield for both products and minimization of undesired side products.

The present invention relates to the field of converting carbohydrates into levulinic acid, a platform chemical for many chemical end products. More specifically the invention relates to a method for converting carbohydrates such as mono-, di- or polysaccharides, obtained from for example biomass production into a suitable levulinic acid ester in the presence of a zeolite or zeotype catalyst and a suitable alcohol, and the ester may be further converted into levulinic acid if desired.

The present invention relates to the field of converting carbohydrates into levulinic acid, a platform chemical for many chemical end products. More specifically the invention relates to a method for converting carbohydrates such as mono-, di- or polysaccharides, obtained from for example biomass production into a suitable levulinic acid ester in the presence of a zeolite or zeotype catalyst and a suitable alcohol, and the ester may be further converted into levulinic acid if desired.

Hydrocarbons may be formed from six carbon sugars. This process involves obtaining a quantity of a hexose sugar. The hexose sugar may be derived from biomass. The hexose sugar is reacted to form an alkali metal levulinate, an alkali metal valerate, an alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or an alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. An anolyte is then prepared for use in a electrolytic cell. The anolyte contains the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. The anolyte is then decarboxylated. This decarboxylating operates to decarboxylate the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate to form radicals, wherein the radicals react to form a hydrocarbon fuel compound.

Hydrocarbons may be formed from six carbon sugars. This process involves obtaining a quantity of a hexose sugar. The hexose sugar may be derived from biomass. The hexose sugar is reacted to form an alkali metal levulinate, an alkali metal valerate, an alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or an alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. An anolyte is then prepared for use in a electrolytic cell. The anolyte contains the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. The anolyte is then decarboxylated. This decarboxylating operates to decarboxylate the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate to form radicals, wherein the radicals react to form a hydrocarbon fuel compound.