Isolation of Lignin from Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Ionic Liquids and Deep Eutectic Solvents and Pyrolysis of the Extracted Lignin

Lignin, a carbon neutral and an underutilized feedstock, can be used to produce a variety of products, such as oils, syngas, benzene, toluene, xylene as well as high molecular weight products such as wood adhesives (binders), carbon fibers and polyurethane foams using thermal, chemical, biological and electro-biochemical processes. Globally, approximately 64 million tonnes of lignin is produced from pulping processes; however, this material is not isolated but instead utilized onsite for heat and power production. Kraft lignin price can range from $260 to 500 per tonne with prices reaching up to $6500 per tonne depending on the product purity. Isolating lignin from agricultural wastes using economical and environmental friendly processes and employing these processes to produce value-added chemicals are important challenges facing the development of lignin based biorefineries.
Recently, solvent extraction has been examined to recover lignin from a variety of renewable biomasses. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Jerald Lalman

Student:

Partner:

Université de Lorraine

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Windsor

Program: