Low-energy cellulose-solvent biomass fractionation
This technology provides a chemical process for breaking down woody biomass—like agricultural residue or wood chips—into four useful components: cellulose, sugars from hemicellulose, lignin, and acetic acid. It uses a two-solvent approach where the first solvent dissolves the cellulose and the second causes it to precipitate out cleanly, leaving the other components separated. The cellulose produced is in a highly reactive form that converts easily to glucose for fermentation. The process is designed to operate under mild conditions with low solvent volumes, which keeps capital and operating costs relatively low compared to conventional biomass refining. Crucially, the solvents are recycled within the system, improving the economics further.
What you could build
A biorefinery preprocessing module that converts agricultural residues or forestry waste into fermentable sugars, lignin, and acetic acid for sale to biofuel producers, specialty chemical manufacturers, or paper companies seeking cleaner feedstock streams.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia forestry and agricultural industries, as well as any bioenergy or cellulosic ethanol operations in the state, would have a natural interest in a lower-cost biomass fractionation process.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Y. H. Percival Zhang
- Granted
- May 30, 2017
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 9663835
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.