Inventors at Georgia Tech have created a strategy for recovering solvents that aid in separating lignin prior to pulping processes. Multiple amines were found to separate lignin from lignocellulosic while still leaving residual cellulose suitable for pulping. Amines containing dissolved lignin were treated with carbon dioxide, leading to formation of the corresponding carbamates and precipitating lignin and the carbamate. The addition of water dissolves the carbamate while still leaving lignin as a solid. This results in the carbamate being precipitated from water upon the addition of alcohols.
- High quality - superior quality lignin produced that is sufficient for chemicals, pulp, and paper
- Useful - aids in isolating lignin and recovering and concentrating carbon dioxide
- Widely applicable
- Pulp and paper industry
- Chemical industry
Delignification technology has been utilized for over thirty-five years. It is classified as the process of breaking down the chemical structure of lignin and rendering it soluble in liquids. Delignification uses alkali and oxygen to remove a large quantity of residual lignin from pulping processes. The discovery of the low solubility of lignin in carbamate solutions can be used to isolate lignin after separation from lignocelluloses. There is a growing need for a strategy that dually assists in isolating lignin and recovering and concentrating carbon dioxide.