Patent ID: 9242912
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: C07B,C07C,C08H,C10G,Y02P

Claim Text:
1. A method comprising: introducing cellulosic biomass solids to a hydrothermal digestion unit comprising one or more inclined surfaces therein; introducing a fluid phase digestion medium containing a slurry catalyst to the hydrothermal digestion unit, the slurry catalyst being capable of activating molecular hydrogen; wherein, once introduced to the hydrothermal digestion unit, the cellulosic biomass solids, the fluid phase digestion medium, and the slurry catalyst descend along the one or more inclined surfaces; supplying an upwardly directed flow of molecular hydrogen through the cellulosic biomass solids as they descend along the one or more inclined surfaces, the upwardly directed flow of molecular hydrogen being supplied from a source disposed along each inclined surface; and heating the cellulosic biomass solids as they descend along the one or more inclined surfaces in the presence of the slurry catalyst and the molecular hydrogen, thereby forming an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids.