GB315462A - A process of, and apparatus for, converting cellulose and the like into sugar - Google Patents

Abstract

315,462. Scholler, H. April 13, 1928. Drawings to Specification. Glucose. - Cellulose, cellulose dextrines, and the like or mixtures of cellulose and starch are converted into sugar by treatment under pressure with dilute acid, which is passed progressively through nearly exhausted, less exhausted and fresh raw material with removal of the sugar from the reaction chamber before decomposition thereof can occur, followed by cooling, neutralizing or reducing the pressure of the removed sugar to bring it to a stable condition. The sugar may be removed by percolation with an acidulated liquid. The interstices of the raw material may be reduced by compression or by filling the same with gaseous or solid substances or by recharging with fresh raw material in the course of the process. Fermented or unfermented liquor derived from the process may be used for the percolation of fresh raw material. Neutralizing substances may be added to the cellulose before the percolation, for complete or partial neutralization of the percolation liquid. The temperature may be allowed to fall in the direction of flow of the liquid. The residual acid may be extracted from the lignin by water under pressure. If required for alcoholic fermentation the alcoholic concentration may be increased by an acid percolation liquid containing alcohol, e.g. part of the fermented liquor, or fermented waste lye such as sulphite lye used in cellulose manufacture, and soluble nutrient solutions for the fermentation may be added before the percolation. In some cases the concentration of sugar may be increased by subsequent acid hydrolysis. Specifications 160,776 and 273,317 are referred to.