US4018620A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of hydrolyzing cellulose to monosaccharides
Assignee: Biocel Corp
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Filing: 1975-05-19
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Granted: 1977-04-19
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Expires: 1995-05-19
Abstract
Abstract A method of hydrolyzing cellulose to monosaccharides, especially glucose, by subjecting cellulose, under controlled temperature and pressure, to an aqueous mixture of calcium chloride and an acid, preferably hydrochloric acid, providing a low concentration of H + . When the starting material is pure alpha cellulose, glucose is produced in very high yields. When the starting material is a mixture of hemi and alpha cellulose, the resultant product is a mixture of pentose (xylose) and hexose (glucose) sugars. Refluxing the reaction mixture containing pure alpha cellulose, about 55% calcium chloride and only about 0.01% hydrochloric acid, based on the total reaction mass, will produce in a relatively short time relatively high yields of glucose.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A. Penque
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:27
CPC Classifications
C; C13; C13K; C13K1/00; C13K1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of hydrolyzing cellulose to monosaccharides comprised of admixing cellulose, water, at least about 5% CaCl 2 and about 0.01% to about 2% HCl, the larger the quantity of CaCl 2 the lesser the quantity of HCl and heating the reaction mixture to solubilize the cellulose and until reducing sugars are formed from the solubilized cellulose.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of hydrolyzing cellulose to monosaccharides comprised of admixing cellulose, water, at least about 5% CaCl 2 and about 0.01% to about 2% HCl, the larger the quantity of CaCl 2 the lesser the quantity of HCl and heating the reaction mixture to solubilize the cellulose and until reducing sugars are formed from the solubilized cellulose.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 in which the cellulose is alpha-cellulose and the monosaccharide formed by hydrolysis thereof is glucose.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the heating of the reaction mixture is carried out under reflux.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the reaction mixture originally contains about 5% to about 55% CaCl 2 , and the reaction mixture is heated between about 50° to 180° C for a time sufficient to solubilize the cellulose and form reducing sugars from the solubilized cellulose.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 in which the cellulose is present in the original reaction mixture in an amount of about 0.1% to about 40% based on the total weight of the reaction mixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 and reducing the temperature of the reaction product to crystallize the CaCl 2 as the hydrate and removing the CaCl 2 from the reaction product.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 and purifying the reaction product by separating substantially all of the Ca + + and Cl - ions therefrom.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of hydrolyzing alpha cellulose to glucose comprised of admixing with water 5-6% cellulose, 53-55% CaCl 2 and 0.35 to 0.10% HCl, all based on the total weight of the reaction mixture and refluxing the reaction mixture with agitation for a time sufficient to convert the cellulose to glucose.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of hydrolyzing alpha cellulose to glucose comprised of admixing with water 5-6% cellulose, 53-55% CaCl 2 and 0.35 to 0.10% HCl, all based on the total weight of the reaction mixture and refluxing the reaction mixture with agitation for a time sufficient to convert the cellulose to glucose.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 8 and reducing the temperature of the reaction product to room temperature to crystallize out substantially all of the original CaCl 2 as a hydrate and separating the crystallized CaCl 2 to leave a relatively pure glucose solution.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 and further purifying the glucose solution by removal of substantially all of the remaining Ca + + and Cl - ions therefrom.
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US1355415A
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US1428217A
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US1936190A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-18 | 1980-10-18 | 1981-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-18 | 1984-10-18 | 1985-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-18 | 1988-10-18 | 1989-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |