Optimizing Catalytic Depolymerization of Lignin in Ethanol with a Day-Clustered Box-Behnken Design.

Lignin is a potential resource for biobased aromatics with applications in the field of fuel additives, resins, and bioplastics. Via a catalytic depolymerization process using supercritical ethanol and a mixed metal oxide catalyst (CuMgAlO), lignin can be converted into a lignin oil, containing phenolic monomers that are intermediates to the mentioned applications. Herein, we evaluated the viability of this lignin conversion technology through a stage-gate scale-up methodology.

Industrial lignin from 2G biorefineries - Assessment of availability and pricing strategies.

With a view to boost practical implementation of lignin conversion technologies, this paper assesses the availability of industrial lignin and evaluates pricing strategies applicable to multi-product biorefineries. The biorefineries, producing either denatured ethanol or sugar hydrolysate as a main product, can yield 43% and 61% of lignin residue (LR) comprising 33% and 23% of lignin by mass, respectively, without sacrificing the output of the main product and before electricity import has become indispensable. Analysis of the pricing strategies reveals that LR must be treated as a low-value by-product, and its minimum selling price (MSP) is driven mainly by the prevailing electricity price.

Environmental economics of lignin derived transport fuels.

This paper explores the environmental and economic aspects of fast pyrolytic conversion of lignin, obtained from 2G ethanol plants, to transport fuels for both the marine and automotive markets. Various scenarios are explored, pertaining to aggregation of lignin from several sites, alternative energy carries to replace lignin, transport modalities, and allocation methodology. The results highlight two critical factors that ultimately determine the economic and/or environmental fuel viability.