Patent ID: 8247581
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: C07D,C10G,C10L,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for obtaining a liquid biofuel containing methyl pyran, methyl tetrahydro pyran or its stereoisomers, the process comprising: a) reacting cellulose with a mixture of N-alkyl imidazolium chloride and hydrochloric acid 37% to form isomers of hydroxymethyl pyranone; b) adding to the reaction mixture of (a) a 10% sodium chloride water solution; c) extracting the isomers of hydroxymethylpyranone of step b) with an alcohol; d) concentrating the alcohol extract; e) extracting the alcohol concentrate with a 10% sodium chloride water solution to remove traces of N-alkyl imidazolium chloride; f) hydrogenating the alcohol concentrate of step e); and g) isolating the biofuel from the hydrogenated alcohol concentrate, whereby step a) is performed under reaction conditions which allow the hydrolysis of cellulose while avoiding the pyrolysis of glucose, wherein the pH of step a) is 0.9 to 1.1.