Process for treating terrestrial-based and marine-based biomasses

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for biomasses. The process may include removing residual moisture from the biomass to provide dried biomass. The dried biomass may be subjected to a basic solution. The biomass may then be heated to a temperature of about 130° F. to about 150° F. for about 30 to 50 minutes. The biomass is then subjected to an oxidation agent for about 40 to 90 minutes. The biomass is then separated into a cellulosic pulp and an extract. The resulting pulp may then be subjected to the basic solution and oxidizing agent a second time. For the terrestrial-based biomasses, the resulting product may be separated into a cellulose rich dissolving grade pulp and an extract high in lignin. For the marine-based biomasses, the resulting product may be separated into a cellulosic-rich pulp and an extract high in sodium alginate.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for treating a terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass to provide nanocellulose fibers, the process comprising:
 (a) removing residual moisture from the terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass to provide dried terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass;   (b) subjecting the dried terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass to a basic solution and adjusting the pH to from about 11 to 13;   (c) heating the terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass of step (c) to a temperature of from about 130° F. to about 150° F. for about 20 to about 50 minutes;   (d) subjecting the terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass of step (c) to an oxidation agent for about 40 to about 90 minutes to provide a first terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp;   (e) subjecting the first terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp to a basic solution and adjusting the pH to from about 11 to 13;   (f) heating the first terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp of step (e) to a temperature of from about 130° F. to about 150° F. for about 30 to about 50 minutes;   (g) subjecting the first terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp of step (f) to an oxidation agent for about 40 to about 90 minutes; and   (h) separating the first terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp of step (g) to provide a second terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp and a terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass extract.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , including subjecting the terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass pulp of step (e) to a bleach solution and heating to a temperature of from about 130° F. to about 150° F. for about 30 to about 50 minutes. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising collecting the terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass pulp and washing with an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  including removing any residual aqueous solution using vacuum and optionally evaporation to provide cellulose fibers suitable as a carrier. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the basic solution is sodium hydroxide, and the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp is subjected to acidification to provide nanocellulose fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6  wherein acidification includes contacting with sulfuric acid. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 6  wherein the nanocellulose fibers are reinforced with lignin. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , including subjecting the terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass pulp of step (e) to a bleach solution and heating to a temperature of from about 130° F. to about 150° F. for about 30 to about 50 minutes. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 8 , from comprising collecting the terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass pulp of  claim 5  and washing with an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10  further including removing residual aqueous solution using vacuum and optionally evaporation to provide cellulose fibers suitable as a carrier. 
     
     
         12 . A process for treating a terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass to provide nanocellulose fibers, the process comprising:
 (a) removing residual moisture from the terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass to provide dried terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass;   (b) subjecting the dried terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass to a basic solution and adjusting the pH to from about 11 to 13;   (c) heating the terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass of step (c) to a temperature of from about 130° F. to about 150° F. for about 20 to about 50 minutes;   (d) subjecting the terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass of step (c) to an oxidation agent for about 40 to about 90 minutes to provide a first terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp;   (e) subjecting the first terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp to a basic solution and adjusting the pH to from about 11 to 13;   (f) heating the first terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp of step to a temperature of from about 130° F. to about 150° F. for about 30 to about 50 minutes;   (g) subjecting the first terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp of step (f) to an oxidation agent for about 40 to about 90 minutes; and   (h) separating the first terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp of step (g) to provide a second terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp and a terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass extract.   
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12 , including subjecting the terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass pulp of step (h) to a bleach solution and heating to a temperature of from about 130° F. to about 150° F. for about 30 to about 50 minutes. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 12  further comprising collecting the second terrestrial-based or marine-based biomass cellulosic pulp and washing with an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 12  including removing any residual aqueous solution using vacuum and optionally evaporation to provide cellulose fibers suitable as a carrier. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 12  wherein the basic solution is sodium hydroxide, and the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claims 12  wherein the second seaweed cellulosic pulp is subjected to acidification to provide nanocellulose fibers.