Lignocellulose Depolymerization Catalyst for Lignin Oil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for depolymerizing lignocellulose require exogenous hydrogen, leading to hydrogen waste and high energy consumption, and result in low lignin oil yield due to the destruction of cellulose during the process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a catalyst with a carrier and active ingredient, such as platinum or nickel, that selectively depolymerizes hemicellulose to provide a hydrogen source and activates C—O bonds in lignin, allowing for the production of cellulose and lignin oil without additional hydrogen, at mild temperatures (120° C. to 180° C.).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional depolymerization methods using exogenous hydrogen are employed, then lignin can be depolymerized, but hydrogen energy is wasted and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst enables hemicellulose within the lignocellulose structure to undergo aqueous phase reforming and provide hydrogen internally, eliminating the need for exogenous hydrogen. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the system self-sufficient in hydrogen supply, thereby preventing hydrogen energy waste while maintaining depolymerization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the reaction parameters by operating at mild temperatures (120°C to 180°C) and using a specifically designed catalyst system that activates C-O bonds in lignin without requiring high temperatures or exogenous hydrogen. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by achieving effective depolymerization under milder conditions that reduce energy consumption
2Productivity
If high temperature treatment is applied to depolymerize lignocellulose, then lignin can be broken down, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from conventional high temperatures to a milder range of 120°C to 180°C, achieving effective lignin depolymerization through catalyst activity rather than thermal energy alone. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by decoupling depolymerization efficiency from high energy input
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/thermal system (high temperature heating) with a chemical catalytic system. The catalyst with specific active ingredients and carriers provides an alternative pathway for lignin depolymerization that does not rely on high thermal energy input, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy consumption
3Productivity
If conventional catalysts are used for depolymerization, then reaction can proceed, but cellulose is destroyed and lignin oil yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst is designed with specific local qualities: active ingredients (platinum, palladium, ruthenium, or nickel) combined with specific carriers (metal oxides, metal composite materials, silicon dioxide, nitrogen-doped carbon, molybdenum carbide, or molybdenum nitride). This localized catalytic activity is selective for C-O bonds in lignin and hemicellulose while leaving cellulose intact, resolving the contradiction between lignin oil yield and cellulose retention rate
Solution Approach 2:
The catalyst acts as an intermediary that selectively facilitates the depolymerization of lignin and hemicellulose through C-O bond activation. The intermediary catalytic system enables selective transformation of target components while protecting non-target components (cellulose), thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability
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 achieves high selectivity, retains intact cellulose, and reaches near-theoretical yields of lignin oil, making the process more economical, environmentally friendly, and energy-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
an appropriate catalyst is required to selectively perform aqueous phase reforming on a hemicellulose component in the lignocellulose to provide a hydrogen source
Implementation Method 2
the catalyst needs to have the ability to depolymerize lignin into lignin oil, that is, to activate a C—O connecting bond widely present in the lignin
Implementation Method 3
reacting the lignocellulose dispersed into an aqueous medium at 120° C. to 180° C. under the action of a catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for preparing cellulose and lignin oil by depolymerizing lignocellulose without exogenous hydrogen, including: performing reaction on the lignocellulose dispersed into an aqueous medium at 120° C. to 180° C. under the action of a catalyst; and separating a reaction product to obtain the cellulose and the lignin oil. The catalyst includes a carrier and an active ingredient loaded on the carrier, where the active ingredient is selected from one of platinum, palladium, ruthenium and nickel; the carrier is selected from one of a metal oxide, a metal composite material, silicon dioxide, nitrogen-doped carbon, molybdenum carbide and molybdenum nitride; and the metal oxide is selected from one of niobium oxide, tantalum oxide, tungsten oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide and molybdenum oxide.