EUBCE 2024 - Balaji SRIDHARAN - Upscaling of Continuous Reductive Depolymerization of Lignins: Effect of Process Conditions on Operability and Product Quality

Upscaling of Continuous Reductive Depolymerization of Lignins: Effect of Process Conditions on Operability and Product Quality

Short Introductive summary

The research described in these abstract focusses on the continuous depolymerization of lignin. Reductive depolymerization has seen remarkable growth in maturity recently, albeit in a smaller (mg to g) semi-continuous scale and with wood as the starting material. However, to satisfy the immediate demand of such lignin derivable chemicals, integration of reductive depolymerization with existing biorefineries (kraft, hydrolysis, organosolv) is crucial. Therefore, this study aims to aid the upscaling of lignin valorization, by demonstrating the long term continuous reductive depolymerization of several lignins from existing commercial biorefineries. Detailed optimization study was performed to elucidate its effect on both process stability and product quality. With the optimized process conditions, the continuous reductive depolymerization of hydrolysis lignin is demonstrated for a maximal run time of about 77 hours on stream (TOS) during which the product quality remains stable, evidenced by detailed product characterization using several analytical techniques. Additionally, product development (PU foams, epoxy resins) using the depolymerized lignin products is also reported.

B. Sridharan, Vito, Mol, BELGIUM
P. Jusner, Vito, Mol, BELGIUM
B. Daelemans, Vito, Mol, BELGIUM
M. Comí Bonachí, Vito, Mol, BELGIUM
E. Feghali, Vito, Mol, BELGIUM
K. Vanbroekhoven, Vito, Mol, BELGIUM