Hatun Tanis M. Vercoutere E., Al-Rudainy B. & Wallberg O.; 2024, “Lignin recovery from Norway spruce into value-added components”, 11th Nordic Wood Biorefinery Conference (NWBC), 15-17 October 2024, Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. (https://www.ri.se/en/expertise-areas/projects/nordic-wood-biorefinery-conference-2024)
Abstract: Recent advancements in lignin valorization have expanded its potential beyond traditional uses in the pulp and paper industry. The development of numerous value-added products from lignin sources and research on lignin valorization have revealed its broad potential to be utilized in various end-uses, including bio-based materials, fuels, fuel additives, and value-added biochemicals. This study focuses on lignin recovery from Norway spruce using a gammavalerolactone (GVL)-based organosolv method. Various reaction conditions, including GVL concentration, temperature, and catalyst addition, were explored to enhance lignin recovery. Effective fractionation strategies are essential within the biorefinery framework to understand the complex structure of lignocellulose and its compositional properties. Delignification plays a crucial role in this process, influencing the purity of lignin and facilitating the breakdown of bonds within lignin and lignin-carbohydrate complexes surrounding cellulose. However, the recalcitrant nature of lignin presents challenges during delignification. This study aims to investigate lignin recovery from Norway spruce using a GVL-based organosolv method, focusing on optimizing reaction conditions to improve lignin yield and purity. Lignin recovery from Norway spruce was investigated using a GVL-based organosolv method. Wood chips were subjected to various reaction conditions, including different GVL: water concentrations (v/v), reaction temperatures, and catalyst additions. The effects of these parameters on lignin recovery and delignification yield were assessed. Additionally, the combined effect of temperature and catalyst was investigated. The molecular weight of lignins and lignin was analyzed using GPC, and FT-IR, respectively.
