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Title: Batch Microreactor Studies of Base Catalyzed Ligin Depolymerization in Alcohol Solvents

Abstract

The depolymerization of organosolv-derived lignins by bases in methanol or ethanol solvent was studied in rapidly heated batch microreactors. The conversion of lignin to ether solubles by KOH in methanol or ethanol was rapid at 290 "C, reaching the maximum value within 10-15 minutes. An excess of base relative to Lignin monomer units was required for maximum conversion. Strong bases (KOH, NaOH, CSOH) convert more of the lignin to ether soluble material than do weaker bases LiOH, Ca(OH)2, and NacCO2). Ethanol and methanol are converted to acetic and formic acid respectively under the reaction conditions with an activation energy of approximately 50 kcal/mol. This results in a loss of solvent, but more importantly neutralizes the base catalyst, halting forward progress of the reaction.

Authors:
; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
3334
Report Number(s):
SAND99-0318C
ON: DE00003334
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: American Chemical Society Spring National Meeting; Anaheim, CA; 03/21-25/1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
09 BIOMASS FUELS; Lignin; Hydrolysis; PH Value; Alcohols

Citation Formats

Evans, L, Littlewolf, A, Lopez, M, and Miller, J E. Batch Microreactor Studies of Base Catalyzed Ligin Depolymerization in Alcohol Solvents. United States: N. p., 1999. Web.
Evans, L, Littlewolf, A, Lopez, M, & Miller, J E. Batch Microreactor Studies of Base Catalyzed Ligin Depolymerization in Alcohol Solvents. United States.
Evans, L, Littlewolf, A, Lopez, M, and Miller, J E. 1999. "Batch Microreactor Studies of Base Catalyzed Ligin Depolymerization in Alcohol Solvents". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/3334.
@article{osti_3334,
title = {Batch Microreactor Studies of Base Catalyzed Ligin Depolymerization in Alcohol Solvents},
author = {Evans, L and Littlewolf, A and Lopez, M and Miller, J E},
abstractNote = {The depolymerization of organosolv-derived lignins by bases in methanol or ethanol solvent was studied in rapidly heated batch microreactors. The conversion of lignin to ether solubles by KOH in methanol or ethanol was rapid at 290 "C, reaching the maximum value within 10-15 minutes. An excess of base relative to Lignin monomer units was required for maximum conversion. Strong bases (KOH, NaOH, CSOH) convert more of the lignin to ether soluble material than do weaker bases LiOH, Ca(OH)2, and NacCO2). Ethanol and methanol are converted to acetic and formic acid respectively under the reaction conditions with an activation energy of approximately 50 kcal/mol. This results in a loss of solvent, but more importantly neutralizes the base catalyst, halting forward progress of the reaction.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/3334}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Feb 03 00:00:00 EST 1999},
month = {Wed Feb 03 00:00:00 EST 1999}
}

Conference:
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