Lignin pyrolysis for profitable lignocellulosic biorefineries

P.J. de Wild, R.J.A. Gosselink, W.J.J. Huijgen

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115 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Bio-based industries (pulp and paper and biorefineries) produce > 50 Mt/yr of lignin that results from fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass. Lignin is world's second biopolymer and a major potential source for production of performance materials and aromatic chemicals. Lignin valorization is a key-issue for enhanced profitability of sustainable bio-based industries. Despite a myriad of potential applications for lignin and decades of research, its heterogeneity and recalcitrance still preclude commercial value-added applications. Most lignin is utilized for heat and power. Unconventional solutions are needed to better exploit lignin's potential. Organosolv lignins are especially suitable as feedstock for high-value chemicals. At ECN, a lignin biorefinery approach (LIBRA) has been developed, involving a dedicated lignin pyrolysis protocol that is robust, continuous, and capable of processing different lignins. Typical product yields are 20% gas, 35% char, and 45% oil. The oil contains approximately 45% oligomeric phenolic substances, 23% monomeric phenols, and 33% water. The future perspective is scale-up of the process to produce larger lignin pyrolysis oil samples for separation, purification, and industrial application tests. Presently, small lignin pyrolysis oil samples are investigated as feedstock for extracting high-value chemicals, as a substitute for phenol in several applications, and as a feedstock for hydrotreating. The biochar is tested as growth enhancer and as substitute for carbon-black in rubber. Regarding the large lignin side streams from (future) bio-based industries, the LIBRA pyrolysis technology has ample potential to increase the profitability of lignocellulosic biorefineries provided that for both the liquid product and the solid char value-added applications are developed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)645-657
JournalBiofuels Bioproducts and Biorefining
Volume8
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Keywords

  • wheat-straw
  • organosolv lignin
  • biomass
  • phenols
  • separation
  • valorization
  • pretreatment
  • hydrolysis
  • conversion
  • chemicals

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  • Biocore (KB-13-003-004)

    Gosselink, R. (Project Leader)

    1/01/1131/12/14

    Project: LVVN project

  • BIOCORE: Biocommodity refinery

    1/03/1028/02/14

    Project: EU research project

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