Lignin, mainly used as a low value solid fuel, can be upgraded after functionalization for the stabilization of oil-in-water fuel emulsions with high calorific value. We used a bitumen fraction with equivalent alkyl carbon number of 9-11 as the oil phase. Carboxymethylation was employed to modify industrial Kraft lignins, to extend their water solubility at neutral pH and adjust their amphiphilicity. The modified lignins were analyzed by elemental composition, molecular weight (GPC), and degree of substitution (FTIR and 31P NMR). Resultant low solution surface tension carboxymethylated lignin was used to emulsify bitumen-in-water with varying water-to-oil ratios, from 3:7 to 7:3. The properties of the fuel emulsions were determined including drop size and size distribution, stability, and rheological behavior. Moreover, the emulsion fuel was evaluated based on the combustion analysis: heating value, combustion efficiency, and exhaust gas emissions.

Properties and energy prospects of bitumen-in-water fuel emulsions stabilized by carboxymethylated lignins

247th National Meeting (2014)

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