Publications

Skip Navigation Links.

Search for publications:


Limit search to the fields


ECN publication
Title:
Biobased alkylphenols from lignins via a two-step pyrolysis- Hydrodeoxygenation approach
 
Author(s):
Wild, P.J. de; Huijgen, W.J.J.; Kloekhorst , A.; Chowdari, R.K.; Heeres, H.J.
 
Published by: Publication date:
ECN Biomass & Energy Efficiency 6-2-2017
 
ECN report number: Document type:
ECN-W--16-014 Article (scientific)
 
Number of pages:
9  

Published in: Bioresource Technology (Elsevier), , 2017, Vol.229, p.160-168.

Abstract:
Five technical lignins (three organosolv, Kraft and soda lignin) were depolymerised to produce monomeric biobased aromatics, particularly alkylphenols, by a new two-stage thermochemical approach consisting of dedicated pyrolysis followed by catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of the resulting pyrolysis oils. Pyrolysis yielded a mixture of guaiacols, catechols and, optionally, syringols in addition to alkylphenols. HDO with heterogeneous catalysts (Ru/C, CoMo/alumina, phosphided NiMO/C) effectively directed the product mixture towards alkylphenols by, among others, demethoxylation. Up to 15 wt% monomeric aromatics of which 11 wt% alkylphenols was obtained (on the lignin intake) with limited solid formation (<3 wt% on lignin oil intake). For comparison, solid Kraft lignin was also directly hydrotreated for simultaneous depolymerisation and deoxygenation resulting in two times more alkylphenols. However, the alkylphenols concentration in the product oil is higher for the two-stage approach. Future research should compare direct hydrotreatment and the two-stage approach in more detail by techno-economic assessments.


Back to List