Solvent Selection for Lignin Value Prior to Pulping.

Solvent selection guides are crucial in chemical process design and development. Lignin from lignocellulosic biomass is a potentially attractive feedstock for sustainable chemical feedstocks. One approach would use a solvent to recover lignin prior to the traditional pulping process to make cellulose fibers, (Lignin Value Prior to Pulping (LVPP)). We present a solvent selection methodology for LVPP that may be expanded for any proposed solvent for this process. We elucidate four screening categories and provide metrics for 30 solvents across multiple molecular functional groups. Through performance, hazard & environment, cost & availability, and process economics screens, we reduce our initial list of solvents to two top-tier candidates, 1,6 hexamethylenediamine, and diethanolamine. 1-methylpiperazine, also emerged as potential candidates. This solvent selection methodology streamlines experimentation and provides promising candidates for LVPP. In addition to creating a tailored solvent selection guide, we also present valuable biomass pretreatment data that may be utilized in different renewable applications.