Patent attributes
Described is a novel process for disaggregating biomass pyrolysis oil quantitatively into energy dense hydrophobic aromatic fraction (HAF), fermentable pyrolytic sugars and phenolics based products in a highly economical and energy efficient manner. Phase separation of the esterified pyrolysis oil after an oxidative pre-treatment and the quantitative recovery of the separate fractions is described. Phase separation uses batch as well as continuous reactor systems. The resulting HAF is an energy dense, thermally stable, water free, non-corrosive to carbon steel, and is a free flowing liquid suitable for combustion and for upgrading to transportation fuels. Pyrolytic sugars which are mainly anhydrosugars can be further converted by fermentation to ethanol or other products. Monomeric phenols are useful industrial intermediates and the organic acids in the original pyrolysis oil are mainly recovered as esters of the separation solvents.
