(731d) How Solvent Properties Determine Pretreatment Effects on Key Lignocellulosic Characteristics | AIChE

(731d) How Solvent Properties Determine Pretreatment Effects on Key Lignocellulosic Characteristics

Authors 

Kwok, T. T. - Presenter, Georgia Institute of Technology
Realff, M. J., Georgia Institute of Technology
Bommarius, A., Georgia Institute of Technology
Chemical pretreatment efficacy is largely dependent on the solvent employed. Therefore, picking a solvent is one of the most important decisions in the early stages of chemical process design1. Traditionally, biomass pretreatment decisions have been more guided selection than rational design. Here we present a study of different organic solvent pretreatments on steam exploded bagasse. We demonstrate how certain chemical moieties affect the delignification capacity of a solvent. In addition to delignification, we describe the effect of organic solvent properties towards enhancing cellulose conversion to glucose. These methods provide insights into the chemistry of organic solvent pretreatments and a foundation for the molecular design of improved organic solvent pretreatment methods.

  1.  Shuai, L. and J. Luterbacher (2016). "Organic Solvent Effects in Biomass Conversion Reactions." ChemSusChem 9.2: 133-155.