Integrated approach to the conversion of lignocellulose from wood into useful chemicals. Interim report of progress, January 1, 1980-June 30, 1980
The overall objectives of this project are to study the conversion of the wood components (hemicelluloses, cellulose, and lignin) from low-quality southern hardwoods to useful chemicals in a systematic integrated manner. The estimate of the glucuronic acid content of sweetgum hemicellulose has been revised to reflect the attachment of glucuronic acid to every fourth rather than every third xylose molecule in the xylan backbone. The hydrolysis of cellulose with superconcentrated hydrochloric acid is diffusion controlled, probably by the decrystallization of the cellulose. Complex formation between the glucose liberated during hydrolysis and hydrogen chloride can reduce active hydrogen chloride concentration below the minimum required for decrystallization and cause hydrolysis to stop short of complete conversion. A soluble lignin component is liberated at the same rate as sugars indicating a possible association between them. The lignin residue from wood hydrolysis with superconcentrated hydrochloric acid apparently suffers only minor change during isolation and remains more reactive than other lignins such as kraft and Klason. Continued exposure of HCl-lignin to acid slowly reduces this reactivity. The depolymerization of HCl hydrolysis lignin has been studied by alkaline and organosolve hydrolysis and hydrogenation under various conditions. Yields of monomeric phenols are higher than from other lignins, but have not exceeded about 15%. A process design and evaluation for a 1100 ton/day integrated wood hydrolysis plant has been completed. The sensitivity of important operating parameters has been determined. At the assumed conditions, a return on an investment of about 100 million dollars of about 16% after taxes is estimated.
- OSTI ID:
- 5084673
- Report Number(s):
- NP-25148
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BIOMASS CONVERSION PLANTS
DESIGN
CELLULOSE
ACID HYDROLYSIS
HYDROLYSIS
HEMICELLULOSE
LIGNIN
WOOD
CELLOBIOSE
CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCKS
CHEMICAL PLANTS
ECONOMICS
FURFURAL
GLUCOSE
PHENOLS
PRODUCTION
STABILITY
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
XYLOSE
ALDEHYDES
AROMATICS
CARBOHYDRATES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DISACCHARIDES
FURANS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HEXOSES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LYSIS
MONOSACCHARIDES
OLIGOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PENTOSES
POLYSACCHARIDES
SACCHARIDES
SOLVOLYSIS
140504* - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production & Conversion- (-1989)