The present invention relates to heterogeneous catalysts and methods of making and using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of making a hydrogenation catalyst including particulate nickel metal (Ni(0)). The method includes calcining first nickel(II)-containing particles in an atmosphere including oxidizing constituents to generate second nickel(II)-containing particles. The method also includes reducing the second nickel(II)-containing particles in a reducing atmosphere while rotating or turning the second nickel(II)-containing particles at about 275° C. to about 360° C. for a time sufficient to generate the particulate nickel metal (Ni(0)), wherein the particulate nickel metal (Ni(0)) is free flowing.

The invention discloses a process for hydrogenation (alkenes, carbonyl compounds and aromatics) and hydrodeoxygenation (methoxy phenols) of organic molecules using hydrous ruthenium oxide (HRO) and its supported form as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst in aqueous medium with good yield of desired products (70-100%) under mild reaction conditions.

The invention discloses a process for hydrogenation (alkenes, carbonyl compounds and aromatics) and hydrodeoxygenation (methoxy phenols) of organic molecules using hydrous ruthenium oxide (HRO) and its supported form as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst in aqueous medium with good yield of desired products (70-100%) under mild reaction conditions.

A process for the production of ethylene glycol including the steps of: (i) providing, to a first reactor, a carbohydrate source, a solvent, hydrogen, a first heterogeneous catalyst, which first heterogeneous catalyst contains one or more transition metals from groups 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and a homogeneous catalyst, which homogeneous catalyst contains tungsten; (ii) reacting, in the first reactor, at a temperature in the range from equal to or more than 170 C. to equal to or less than 270 C., at least a portion of the carbohydrate source in the presence of the hydrogen, the solvent, the first heterogeneous catalyst and the homogeneous catalyst; (iii) removing, from the first reactor, a first reactor product stream and separating from such first reactor product stream at least: one ethylene glycol rich fraction; and one sorbitol-rich fraction containing concentrated homogeneous catalyst; (iv) providing, to a second reactor, hydrogen and at least part of the sorbitol-rich fraction, containing concentrated homogeneous catalyst; (v) reacting, in the second reactor, at a temperature in the range from equal to or more than 200 C. to equal to or less than 300 C., at least a part of the sorbitol-rich fraction, containing concentrated homogeneous catalyst, in the presence of the hydrogen, a second heterogeneous catalyst, which second heterogeneous catalyst contains one or more transition metals from groups 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; (vi) removing, from the second reactor, a second reactor product stream.

A process for the production of ethylene glycol including the steps of: (i) providing, to a first reactor, a carbohydrate source, a solvent, hydrogen, a first heterogeneous catalyst, which first heterogeneous catalyst contains one or more transition metals from groups 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and a homogeneous catalyst, which homogeneous catalyst contains tungsten; (ii) reacting, in the first reactor, at a temperature in the range from equal to or more than 170 C. to equal to or less than 270 C., at least a portion of the carbohydrate source in the presence of the hydrogen, the solvent, the first heterogeneous catalyst and the homogeneous catalyst; (iii) removing, from the first reactor, a first reactor product stream and separating from such first reactor product stream at least: one ethylene glycol rich fraction; and one sorbitol-rich fraction containing concentrated homogeneous catalyst; (iv) providing, to a second reactor, hydrogen and at least part of the sorbitol-rich fraction, containing concentrated homogeneous catalyst; (v) reacting, in the second reactor, at a temperature in the range from equal to or more than 200 C. to equal to or less than 300 C., at least a part of the sorbitol-rich fraction, containing concentrated homogeneous catalyst, in the presence of the hydrogen, a second heterogeneous catalyst, which second heterogeneous catalyst contains one or more transition metals from groups 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; (vi) removing, from the second reactor, a second reactor product stream.

Improved casein-based films are produced by adjusting the pH of a film-production suspension. The film-production suspension may contain a casein source, a plasticizer, and optionally a strengthening additive. The adjustment of the pH may be accomplished by the addition of an alkaline additive, such as a base, to achieve a desired pH value. The improved casein-based films have improved physical properties as compared to those produced without a pH-adjusted film-production suspension at least in part due to the chemical and structural changes imparted by the change in pH.

Improved casein-based films are produced by adjusting the pH of a film-production suspension. The film-production suspension may contain a casein source, a plasticizer, and optionally a strengthening additive. The adjustment of the pH may be accomplished by the addition of an alkaline additive, such as a base, to achieve a desired pH value. The improved casein-based films have improved physical properties as compared to those produced without a pH-adjusted film-production suspension at least in part due to the chemical and structural changes imparted by the change in pH.

Use of diverse biomass feedstock in a process for the recovery of target C5 and C6 alditols and target glycols via staged hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis processes is disclosed. Particular alditols of interest include, but are not limited to, xylitol and sorbitol. Various embodiments of the present invention synergistically improve overall recovery of target alditols and/or glycols from a mixed C5/C6 sugar stream without needlessly driving total recovery of the individual target alditols and/or glycols. The result is a highly efficient, low complexity process having enhanced production flexibility, reduced waste and greater overall yield than conventional processes directed to alditol or glycol production.

Use of diverse biomass feedstock in a process for the recovery of target C5 and C6 alditols and target glycols via staged hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis processes is disclosed. Particular alditols of interest include, but are not limited to, xylitol and sorbitol. Various embodiments of the present invention synergistically improve overall recovery of target alditols and/or glycols from a mixed C5/C6 sugar stream without needlessly driving total recovery of the individual target alditols and/or glycols. The result is a highly efficient, low complexity process having enhanced production flexibility, reduced waste and greater overall yield than conventional processes directed to alditol or glycol production.

The present invention concerns an improved process for biorefinery of brown macroalgae, which comprises: (a) contacting the brown macroalgae with a solvent system comprising at least 30 wt % organic solvent, to obtain extracted macroalgae as solid residue and a liquor; and (b) biorefining the extracted macroalgae. The inventors have found that the contacting of step (a) results in an efficient and cost-effective dewatering of the macroalgae, wherein up to 95 wt % of the internal moisture of the macroalgae could be lost without the need for energy-consuming drying techniques. As such, the downstream biorefinery of the extracted macroalgae is greatly facilitated.