US 7,501,025 B2
	Process and apparatus for the conversion of biomass
Robert Reurd C. Bakker, Wageningen (Netherlands); Jacob Hendrik O. Hazewinkel, Zoetermeer (Netherlands); and Johannes Wouterus Van Groenestijn, Apeldoorn (Netherlands)
Assigned to Agrotechnology & Food Innovations B.V., Wageningen (Netherlands); Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO, Delft (Netherlands); and Techno Invent Ingenieursbureau voor Milieutechniek B.V., Zoetermeer (Netherlands)
Filed on Aug. 10, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/837,156.
Application 11/837156 is a continuation of application No. PCT/NL2006/000073, filed on Feb. 13, 2006.
Claims priority of application No. 05075352 (EP), filed on Feb. 11, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2008/0022997 A1, Jan. 31, 2008
Int. Cl. C13K 1/02 (2006.01); B01J 3/00 (2006.01); B01D 21/01 (2006.01); B01D 19/00 (2006.01); B01D 53/14 (2006.01); B03D 3/00 (2006.01); C07G 17/00 (2006.01); C07H 1/00 (2006.01); C07H 3/00 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 127—37  [127/1; 210/724; 536/124; 95/171]

17 Claims

1. A process for conversion of cellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars comprising contacting a packed bed or heap of said biomass in a reactor with an acid, while passing a gas stream though said reactor, wherein said gas is an inert gas which is able to take up water, thereby effectively changing the pH in the reactor.