Separations Consortium: Lignin Rich Stream Fractionation and Purification
In support of the Bioenergy Technologies Office in converting lignin to fuels and chemicals, this project develops scalable separations based on membranes and Electordeionization (EDI) to recover low molecular weight (LMW) compounds from lignin rich streams. The project addresses three technology barriers in developing the bioeconomy; (1) Cost of production (2) Selective separation of organic acid species, and (3) Advanced bioprocess development. Specifically, membrane cascades using Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) are investigated for the recovery of LMW lignin compounds from lignin rich streams such as Alkaline Pretreatment Liquor (APL), Reductive Catalytic Fractionation (RCF) oil, and Catalytic Oxidation oil. Process concepts, including dynamic filtration, are investigated to meet specific performance targets indicated by the consortium's Industrial Advisory Board for the membrane filtration including maintaining permeance > 1 LMH/bar and an overall cost target of < $1/kg of LMW lignin. EDI is investigated as an integral part of the membrane cascade to recover LMW aromatic acids and as an alternative to nanofiltration. Economic analysis of the processes is presented with a focus on minimizing energy consumption and capital expenditure. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is presented to identify key cost drivers and optimize holistic process operating conditions.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1772984
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/PR-2800-79471; MainId:33697; UUID:2536be9e-ae19-4e1a-865f-d1157d02b45b; MainAdminID:19990
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Presented at the U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) 2021 Project Peer Review, 8-12, 15-16, and 22-26 March 2021
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Fractionation of Lignin Streams Using Tangential Flow Filtration
Resource Recovery and Environmental Protection in Wyoming’s Greater Green River Basin Using Selective Nanostructured Membranes (Final Report)