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 67-75Subject Categories
Chemical Engineering
DOI
10.1016/j.supflu.2013.11.022