Catalytic depolymerisation and conversion of Kraft lignin into liquid products using near-critical water
Journal article, 2014

A high-pressure pilot plant was developed to study the conversion of LignoBoost Kraft lignin into bio-oil and chemicals in near-critical water (350◦C, 25 MPa). The conversion takes place in a continuous fixed-bed catalytic reactor (500 cm3) filled with ZrO2 pellets. Lignin (mass fraction of approximately 5.5%) is dispersed in an aqueous solution containing K2CO3(from 0.4% to 2.2%) and phenol (approximately 4.1%).The feed flow rate is 1 kg/h (reactor residence time 11 min) and the reaction mixture is recirculated internally at a rate of approximately 10 kg/h. The products consist of an aqueous phase, containing phenolic chemicals, and a bio-oil, showing an increased heat value (32 MJ/kg) with respect to the lignin feed. The 1-ring aromatic compounds produced in the process are mainly anisoles, alkylphenols, guaiacols and catechols: their overall yield increases from 17% to 27% (dry lignin basis) as K2CO3 is increased.

Hydrothermal conversion

Lignin

Bio-oil

Near-critical water

Catalytic conversion

LignoBoost

Author

Huyen Lyckeskog

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Forest Products and Chemical Engineering

Marco Maschietti

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Forest Products and Chemical Engineering

Tallal Belkheiri

Industrial Energy Systems and Technologies

Lars-Erik Åmand

Industrial Energy Systems and Technologies

Hans Theliander

Wallenberg Wood Science Center (WWSC)

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Forest Products and Chemical Engineering

Lennart Vamling

Industrial Energy Systems and Technologies

Lars Olausson

Metso power AB

Sven-Ingvar Andersson

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Applied Surface Chemistry

Journal of Supercritical Fluids

0896-8446 (ISSN)

Vol. 86 67-75

Subject Categories

Chemical Engineering

DOI

10.1016/j.supflu.2013.11.022

More information

Latest update

8/24/2018