Ionic Liquid Biphasic Systems for Lignocellulose Fractionation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The paper and pulp industry faces challenges in efficiently processing lignocellulosic biomass, particularly in the fractionation and separation of lignin and cellulose, which are crucial for various industrial applications, and existing methods are not environmentally friendly or cost-effective.

Innovation Solution

The use of multiphasic compositions comprising ionic liquids and polyalkylene glycols, which form biphasic systems to selectively dissolve and separate lignin and cellulose from biomass, allowing for efficient fractionation and processing of lignocellulosic materials without the need for water, thereby reducing environmental impact and increasing profitability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional methods are used for fractionation and separation of lignin and cellulose, then the processing can be performed, but the environmental impact is harmful and the cost-effectiveness is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the processing system by introducing ionic liquids with specific cations (imidazolium, pyridinium, ammonium) and anions (carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate) to create a multiphasic system that enables selective dissolution and separation of lignin and cellulose, replacing conventional harmful solvents and achieving both environmental benignity and processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite multiphasic compositions combining ionic liquids with polyalkylene glycols (PEG) of different molecular weights to create a biphasic system where one phase selectively dissolves lignin and another selectively dissolves cellulose, enabling simultaneous fractionation of multiple biomass components through a single processing system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If multiphasic compositions comprising ionic liquids and polyalkylene glycols are used to form biphasic systems, then efficient separation and fractionation of lignin and cellulose is achieved, but the device complexity and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefractionation efficiencyVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the multiphasic ionic liquid-PEG system to perform multiple functions simultaneously: dissolution of lignin in one phase, dissolution of cellulose in another phase, and automatic phase separation based on density differences, eliminating the need for multiple separate processing steps and equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition and phase separation phenomena where the ionic liquid-PEG mixture forms distinct liquid phases based on density differences, allowing automatic separation of lignin-rich and cellulose-rich phases without requiring mechanical separation equipment, thereby simplifying the overall process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Ease of manufacture

If water is used in the processing, then the processing can be performed, but environmental harm increases and cost-effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing feasibilityVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts water from the processing system entirely, replacing it with anhydrous ionic liquids and polyalkylene glycols as the dissolution medium, thereby eliminating the environmental harms associated with water treatment, wastewater discharge, and energy consumption for water heating/evaporation while maintaining processing feasibility through the unique solvating properties of ionic liquids

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enables efficient separation and processing of lignin and cellulose, enhancing the profitability of the paper and pulp industry while promoting environmentally benign practices by using ionic liquids and polyalkylene glycols to form biphasic systems that facilitate the fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass.

Implementation Method 1

multiphasic compositions comprising ionic liquids and polyalkylene glycols, which form biphasic systems to selectively dissolve and separate lignin and cellulose from biomass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential solubility: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS8668807B2Ionic liquid systems for the processing of biomass, their components and/or derivatives, and mixtures thereof

Publication Date: 2014.03.11 UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

AI summary

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods that involve ionic liquids and biomass. Multiphasic compositions involving ionic liquids and a polymer and uses of such compositions for fractioning various components of biomass are disclosed. Methods of making and using compositions comprising an ionic liquid, biomass, and a catalyst are also disclosed.