| abstract |
Use of diverse biomass feedstock in a process for the recovery of C5 and C6 target alditols and target glycols through hydrogenation and staged hydrogenolysis processes is revealed. Particular alditols of interest include, but are not limited to, xylitol and sorbitol. Various embodiments of the present invention synergistically optimize the full recovery of alditols and/or target glycols from a mixed C5/C6 sugar stream without unnecessarily leading to full recovery of individual alditols and/or target glycols. The result is a highly efficient, low-complexity process that has improved production flexibility, reduced waste, and higher total yield than conventional processes aimed at producing alditol or glycol. |