Patent ID: 9428621
Filing Date: 2016-08-30
CPC Classification: C08B,C08H,C08L,C10G,C12P,D21C,Y02E

Claim Text:
1. A method of enhancing oxidative molecular weight reduction in cellulosic or lignocellulosic materials, the method comprising: providing a mixture comprising a first cellulosic or lignocellulosic material having been exposed to ionizing radiation by a beam of particles comprising oxygen ions, one or more oxidants comprising ozone generated in-situ by the beam of particles, and one or more compounds comprising one or more naturally-occurring, non-radioactive group 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 elements, the first cellulosic or lignocellulosic material having a first molecular weight; and maintaining conditions effective to allow the one or more naturally-occurring, non-radioactive group 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 elements to participate in a Fenton-type reaction, wherein hydroxyl radicals generated in the Fenton-type reaction then react with the first cellulosic or lignocellulosic material to produce a second cellulosic or lignocellulosic material having a second molecular weight lower than the first molecular weight.