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US 11,692,000 B2Granted
Methods of making specialized lignin and lignin products from biomass
AssigneeApalta Patents OÜ
InventorScott Tudman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided are cost-effective methods and systems for producing a low molecular weight reactive lignin from a lignocellulosic biomass. The process is rapid and the reactive lignin is easily separated from carbohydrates and other components of the biomass at low cost. This clean lignin product has a very low molecular weight, good hydroxyl content, and low ash and sulfur, making it valuable to many applications.
Claims20
A method for producing a reactive lignin from a biomass, the method comprising:
- (a) pretreating the biomass with acid and steam explosion to produce:
- (1) a liquid component comprising a solubilized first carbohydrate fraction, and (2) a solid component comprising a second carbohydrate fraction and a first lignin fraction;
- (b) separating the liquid component from the solid component;
- (c) treating the solid component with a pH of at least 8 to solubilize the first lignin fraction and precipitate the second carbohydrate fraction;
- (d) separating the solubilized first lignin fraction from the precipitated second carbohydrate fraction;
- (e) treating the solubilized first lignin fraction with a pH of at least 7 to produce a second lignin fraction that is precipitated and a third lignin fraction that is solubilized;
- (f) separating the second lignin fraction from the third lignin fraction;
- and
- (g) treating the third lignin fraction with a pH of 5 or lower to precipitate the reactive lignin,
- wherein the reactive lignin has a molecular weight (Mw) under 3000 Da, a molar mass (Mn) under 1700 Da, and a sulfur content under 2.5 wt. %.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.