Lignin valorization for the production of high-value added materials for environmental applications

In recent years, lignin valorization has been given more attention by the scientific community, hoping to make breakthroughs in the field. Thus, this project aims to attribute value to lignin biomass (sugarcane bagasse and sugarcane straw from Brazil and kraft lignin from Canada), an industry by-product that is currently being discarded as industrial waste on a ton scale. Most of the lignin waste material is either disposed or burned as low-grade fuel, posing a severe environmental hazard. Thus, this project will be based on the conversion of lignin into biochar at different process conditions and to be evaluated as adsorbents for mining water treatment. The sorption capacity of lignin-adsorbent materials will be comparable to commercial activated carbons.

Faculty Supervisor:

Flavia Braghiroli

Student:

Partner:

Universidade de São Paulo

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue

Program: