Fractionation of Lignocellulosic Residues Coupling Steam Explosion and Organosolv Treatments Using Green Solvent ?-Valerolactone

Mattia Gelosia, David Ingles, Enrico Pompili, Silvia D’Antonio, Gianluca Cavalaglio, Alessandro Petrozzi and Valentina Coccia
Additional contact information
Mattia Gelosia: CIRIAF—Biomass Research Centre Section, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67, 06125 Perugia, Italy
David Ingles: CIRIAF—Biomass Research Centre Section, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67, 06125 Perugia, Italy
Enrico Pompili: CIRIAF—Biomass Research Centre Section, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67, 06125 Perugia, Italy
Silvia D’Antonio: CIRIAF—Biomass Research Centre Section, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67, 06125 Perugia, Italy
Gianluca Cavalaglio: CIRIAF—Biomass Research Centre Section, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67, 06125 Perugia, Italy
Alessandro Petrozzi: CIRIAF—Biomass Research Centre Section, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67, 06125 Perugia, Italy
Valentina Coccia: CIRIAF—Biomass Research Centre Section, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67, 06125 Perugia, Italy

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: A two-step fractionation of lignocellulosic residues of Phragmites australis in its main components (cellulose-pulp, soluble hemicellulose sugars, and lignin) is described, based on the biomass-derived solvent ?-valerolactone (GVL). The solvent used is an excellent substitute for traditional organic solvents as it is not toxic, it is renewable, and it can be recycled after the extraction process. Prior the GVL-organosolv extraction process, a steam explosion pretreatment was performed in order to break up the tight lignocellulosic structure and partially depolymerise hemicellulose into soluble sugars, making lignin easier to be solubilised. Three common extraction techniques were compared: soxhlet, closed vessel microwave-assisted, and open vessel on a hotplate stirrer. The two-step approach resulted in a cellulose-rich solid, water-soluble hemicellulose sugars and lignin-rich GVL liquor which was further purified for lignin isolation. The two best resulting pulps presented a high cellulose content (75.47% and 78.68%) starting from 38.13% and a content of lignin down to 11.96% and 13.09% starting from 23.02%. Almost all hemicellulose was removed with a final content of 0.72% and 2.20% starting from 20.5%.

Keywords: ?-valerolactone; organosolv; steam explosion; biorefineries; Phragmites australis; delignification (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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