Method for Removing Colloidal and Dissolved Lignin and Other Organic Compounds for Purification of Lignocellulosic Extracts Produced by Hot Water and Similar Pretreatments

Background:

Lignocellulosic biomass is some of the most sustainable and renewable feedstock for the production of biofuels and useful biocomposite materials. However, existing methods of detoxifying wood extracts are complicated and expensive.

Technology Overview:

A new approach to the purification of water-wood based extracts using cationic and non-ionic flocculating agents has been developed at SUNY ESF. This extraction method preferentially precipitates the lignin and lignin-derived compounds fraction of the extracts, while still allowing for the sugars to remain in suspension.

Advantages:

•    Sustainable: There is no need for electrical energy input for microfiltration.
•    Simple: The precipitated sediment can be easily separated to obtain lignin-derived compounds.

Applications:

•    Biofuel/bioethanol production
•    Pulp and paper production
•    Biocomposites

Intellectual Property Summary:

Issued patent
US9751781B2 Method to separate lignin-rich solid phase from acidic biomass suspension at an acidic pH

Stage of Development:

TRL 3 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_readiness_level

Licensing Status:

This technology is available for licensing.