Ionic Liquid Lignin Dissolution for Biofuel Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for pretreating lignocellulosic biomass to dissolve lignin while keeping cellulose intact are inefficient, often requiring anhydrous conditions and high energy inputs, and do not effectively isolate lignin for further use in the renewable chemical industry.
Innovation Solution
A method using an ionic liquid/water mixture with 20-40% water, containing specific anions like alkyl sulfate, alkylsulfonate, and hydrogen phosphate, and cations such as imidazolium derivatives, which selectively dissolves lignin without dissolving cellulose, allowing for mechanical separation and recycling of the ionic liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If anhydrous ionic liquid is used to dissolve lignin, then lignin dissolution is achieved, but high energy input is required for drying and processing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of water content in the ionic liquid from anhydrous (0%) to containing 1-10% water. This parameter change allows the ionic liquid to dissolve lignin effectively without requiring energy-intensive drying processes, thereby reducing energy input while maintaining lignin dissolution capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a water-containing ionic liquid that can be easily separated and recycled, eliminating the need for expensive and energy-intensive drying and purification processes associated with anhydrous ionic liquids. The ionic liquid serves its purpose and can be reused without requiring extensive processing
2Quantity of substance
If conventional pretreatment methods are used to dissolve lignin, then lignin removal is achieved, but cellulose also dissolves and separation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a specific ionic liquid composition with particular cations and anions that creates selective solubility. The ionic liquid has local quality characteristics that allow it to dissolve lignin while leaving cellulose intact, enabling simple mechanical separation without complex processing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts lignin from the biomass using the selective ionic liquid, separating it from cellulose. The lignin is taken out into the ionic liquid phase while cellulose remains in the solid phase, allowing for straightforward separation through filtration or decantation
3Ease of manufacture
If ionic liquid with high water content is used, then processing costs are reduced, but unwanted precipitation of dissolved cellulose occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the water content parameter to a specific range of 1-10%, which is sufficient to reduce processing costs and improve ease of manufacture, but low enough to prevent unwanted cellulose precipitation and maintain reliable cellulose dissolution stability
4Productivity
If lignin is not isolated for chemical use, then processing is simplified, but valuable aromatic platform chemicals cannot be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates lignin in a purified form through the selective dissolution process, enabling it to be used as a source for aromatic platform chemicals in the renewable chemical industry, thereby enhancing versatility while maintaining processing efficiency
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 approach improves saccharification yields, reduces energy requirements, and enables the isolation and recycling of lignin, making it suitable for producing glucose for biofuels and aromatic platform chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the lignocellulose biomass with an ionic liquid/water mixture to produce a cellulose pulp, wherein the ionic liquid comprises a cation and an anion
Implementation Method 2
the cellulose pulp obtained can be used to produce glucose. In addition the lignin can be isolated for subsequent use
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for treating a lignocellulose biomass in order to dissolve the lignin therein, while the cellulose does not dissolve. The cellulose pulp obtained can be used to produce glucose. In addition the lignin can be isolated for subsequent use in the renewable chemical industry as a source for aromatic platform chemicals.