The molecular properties and carbohydrate content of lignins precipitated from black liquor
Journal article, 2015

Precipitation and utilization of lignin from black liquor (BL) offers many promising advantages to modern kraft pulp mills. A novel process, known as “LignoBoost”, has recently been introduced as a process for separating lignin from BL; it results in lignins with a low ash and high dry solid content. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the influences of process parameters on the behavior of lignin in the precipitation step. In this study, the yield of precipitated lignin and its average molecular weight (MWt) and carbohydrate content were the focus. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis showed that the lignin yield increased at lower pH and temperatures or when the ion strength of BL was elevated. High yield lignins contained more low MWt components and such lignins have more phenolic OH and methoxy groups. Xylan content of the lignins decreased with decreasing pH and increasing temperature, but glucomannan content was virtually unaffected by the conditions of precipitation.

H-1 and C-13 NMR spectra of kraft lignin

lignin precipitation

molecular weight of lignin

carbohydrates analysis

Ligno-Boost

black liquor

Author

Weizhen Zhu

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology

Gunnar Westman

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Hans Theliander

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology

Holzforschung

0018-3830 (ISSN) 1437-434X (eISSN)

Vol. 69 2 143-152

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Subject Categories

Physical Chemistry

Chemical Process Engineering

Polymer Technologies

Areas of Advance

Production

Energy

Materials Science

DOI

10.1515/hf-2014-0062

More information

Created

10/7/2017