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Process for the production of alcohol

  • US 8,709,769 B2
  • Filed: 10/02/2009
  • Issued: 04/29/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A process for the production of a residue containing sugars from a cellulosic material, said process comprising the steps of:

  • (i) hydrolyzing said cellulosic material with an aqueous acid to produce a hydrolysate;

    (ii) extracting acid and water from said hydrolysate with a water-miscible organic extraction solvent to yield (a) a first aqueous acidic solution containing said extraction solvent and (b) the residue containing sugars;

    (iii) evaporating said extraction solvent from said first solution to yield (a) a second aqueous acid solution containing no more than 10% wt. of said extraction solvent and (b) gaseous extraction solvent;

    (iv) condensing said gaseous extraction solvent for recycling; and

    , optionally,(v) concentrating said second aqueous acid solution for recycling;

    wherein said extraction solvent is liquid at the temperature and pressure of step (ii), has a boiling point of from 25 to 60°

    C. at a pressure in the range 1 to 8 bar, comprises a solvent having a boiling point at 1 bar of below 20°

    C., and is such that water-soluble oligosaccharides are precipitated from solution by its addition in step (ii).

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