Aromatics from Beechwood Organosolv Lignin through Thermal and Catalytic Pyrolysis

Konstantinos G. Kalogiannis, Leonidas Matsakas, Angelos A. Lappas, Ulrika Rova and Paul Christakopoulos
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Konstantinos G. Kalogiannis: Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute (CPERI), Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), 6th km Harilaou-Thermi Rd, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Leonidas Matsakas: Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden
Angelos A. Lappas: Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute (CPERI), Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), 6th km Harilaou-Thermi Rd, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Ulrika Rova: Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden
Paul Christakopoulos: Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: Biomass fractionation, as an alternative to biomass pretreatment, has gained increasing research attention over the past few years as it provides separate streams of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. These streams can be used separately and can provide a solution for improving the economics of emerging biorefinery technologies. The sugar streams are commonly used in microbial conversions, whereas during recent years lignin has been recognized as a valuable compound as it is the only renewable and abundant source of aromatic chemicals. Successfully converting lignin into valuable chemicals and products is key in achieving both environmental and economic sustainability of future biorefineries. In this work, lignin retrieved from beechwood sawdust delignification pretreatment via an organosolv process was depolymerized with thermal and catalytic pyrolysis. ZSM-5 commercial catalyst was used in situ to upgrade the lignin bio-oil vapors. Lignins retrieved from different modes of organosolv pretreatment were tested in order to evaluate the effect that upstream pretreatment has on the lignin fraction. Both thermal and catalytic pyrolysis yielded oils rich in phenols and aromatic hydrocarbons. Use of ZSM-5 catalyst assisted in overall deoxygenation of the bio-oils and enhanced aromatic hydrocarbons production. The oxygen content of the bio-oils was reduced at the expense of their yield. Organosolv lignins were successfully depolymerized towards phenols and aromatic hydrocarbons via thermal and catalytic pyrolysis. Hence, lignin pyrolysis can be an effective manner for lignin upgrading towards high added value products.

Keywords: beechwood; organosolv delignification; lignin pyrolysis; ZSM-5; phenols; aromatic hydrocarbons (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: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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