It has been discovered that lignin has the ability to serve as a binder for a new foundry fuel source consisting primarily of briquetted anthracite fines. This new fuel would be a more economic, efficient and environmentally-friendly alternative than the current fuel source, coke. With less than 10% composition, lignin has been shown to provide the mechanical strength necessary for the compressive loads in the foundry cupola furnace's �heat zone' of 500oC - 1100oC. Solid-state NMR was used to analyze a series of pyrolyzed lignin samples to better understand the transformation that lignin undergoes at elevated temperatures. At approximately 400oC, the structure of hardwood lignin substantially changes to what seems to be a more polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon structure, possibly similar to that of graphite. Most functional groups are released pyrolytically, leaving behind a rigid, fused ring network. Infrared and Raman spectroscopy have helped confirm these solid-state NMR results.

Pyrolizing lignin to create a new foundry fuel source

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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