A new process developed for separation of lignin from ammonium hydroxide pretreatment solutions

A method is described for separating lignin from liquid solutions resulting from the pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials such as switchgrass with ammonium hydroxide. The method involves a sequence of steps including acidification, evaporation, and precipitation or centrifugation that are perfo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental progress 2012-04, Vol.31 (1), p.130-138
Main Authors: Sherman, Steven R., Goodell, John J., Milliken, Charles E., Morris, Jacob A., Gorensek, Maximilian B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
bioenergy
Exact sciences and technology
lignocellulosic
Pollution
precipitation
switchgrass
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A method is described for separating lignin from liquid solutions resulting from the pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials such as switchgrass with ammonium hydroxide. The method involves a sequence of steps including acidification, evaporation, and precipitation or centrifugation that are performed under defined conditions, and results in a relatively pure, solid lignin product. The method is tested on ammonium hydroxide solutions containing lignin extracted from switchgrass. Experimental results show that the method is capable of recovering between 66–95% of dissolved lignin as a precipitated solid. Cost estimates of pilot‐scale and industrial‐scale expressions of the process indicate that breakeven lignin prices of $2.36/kg and $0.78/kg, respectively, may be obtainable with this recovery method. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2012
ISSN:1944-7442
1944-7450
DOI:10.1002/ep.10544