Fractionation of Lignocellulosic Biomass using the OrganoCat Process

Lignin cellulose fractionation using the OrganoCat technology, allows for straightforward separation of lignin, cellulose, and fermentable sugars using a two phasic one pot reaction system. Due to compatibly, mild reaction conditions, a high product quality can be achieved. Our process facilitates straightforward product separation and catalyst and solvent recycling.

It is also 100%biogenic so the chemicals used in the process can be fabricated in the same bio-refinery as they are applied in. Lignin is known for its high potential, but its valorization is still a struggle. For our mite extraction conditions, we deliver more consistent and valuable lignans.

The separation of the lignas cellulose fractionation can be challenging depending on the biomass used. A higher centrifugation for us or adding salt to the mixture can make the separation process easier. Start by suspending 500 milligrams of Beachwood particles and 78 milligrams of FDCA in five milliliters of ultrapure water at room temperature in a stainless steel high pressure reactor.

Then, add five milliliters of two MTHF and a stirring bar to this suspension heat the reactor on a heating plate to 160 degrees Celsius for one hour with stirring at 1500 revolutions per minute. At the end of the incubation, let the reaction cool to room temperature and an ice water bath for 10 minutes, then add 52.5 microliters of sodium hydroxide and place the reaction on a stir plate at 500 revolutions per minute for 15 minutes at room temperature. To isolate the organic phase from the reaction mixture, centrifuge the reaction for five minutes at 1880 times G at room temperature and to use a pipette to transfer the separated organic phase to a 50 milliliter round bottom flask evaporate the solution in a rotary evaporator at 180 millibars, 40 degrees Celsius and 200 revolutions per minute until a solid dry lignin fraction is obtained, then determine the lignin yield and store the solid lignin at room temperature until further analysis.

To isolate the cellulose enriched pulp, filter the aqueous phase through a 1730 micron pore size cellulose filter paper into a five milliliter vile and wash the collected pulp residue three times with 25 milliliters of water per wash until the pH is neutral. Save the washing solution in a 100 milliliter beaker and dry the pulp at 80 degrees Celsius until there is no further loss and mass before determining the yield on an analytical balance. To collect the FDCA from the aqueous phase and washing solutions, use concentrated hydrochloric acid under constant stirring in an ice bath to adjust the pH of each solution to one.

Filter the precipitated solid FDCA from both of the solutions and combine the residues. Dry the product to constant mass at 80 degrees Celsius for approximately 24 hours. And to determine the yield on a balance, then transfer the aqueous phase to a 25 milliliter flask for four degrees Celsius storage until further analysis.

In this representative analysis, the effects of the reaction time and temperature on the yield of hemicellulose hydrolyzate were studied the use of harsher conditions, such as higher temperatures and longer reaction times led to higher extraction yields, but also triggered more degradation of the product. Similarly, the amount of extracted lignin was directly related to the reaction temperature and time while the extracted lignin yield increased with longer reaction times, the number of intact O-4 linkages diminished. Lowering the reaction temperature, showed a similar impact on lignin as reducing the reaction time, resulting in a slightly lower yield, a smaller mass average Mueller mass, and a slightly lower O-4 content.

After enzymatic hydrolysis, longer reaction times significantly impacted the initial reaction time and glucose yield. Remember to neutralize the reaction mixture before separating the phases to ensure the catalyst stays mainly in the aqueous phase, the amount of alfa grind by cellulose dehydration can be measured directly in the organic phase. And this way the amount of hemicellulose converted to this platform chemical can be quantified.

Our reaction system can produce tailored lignin. Accessible cellulose and fermentable sugars. This might trigger a more holistic and sustainable valorization of plant biomass.