Lignin colloidal particles (LP) are attracting increasing attention for novel biomaterials and multiphase systems. Recently, the synthesis of lignin particles with different techniques has been reported, including in situ as well as acid and anti-solvent precipitation. In this study, we introduce spherical lignin particles with sizes ranging from 30 nm to few microns synthesized in an aerosol flow reactor with in-situ fractionation. This method allowed high throughput and high yield production of dry lignin particles.1 By varying the lignin source and synthesis conditions, various types of nano- and micro-particle were obtained. The process involves a single step that continuously atomize the lignin precursor solution, which forms an aerosol that then passes through a heating tube with the aid of a gas carrier. Dry lignin particles are then collected downstream in the system. The broad use of aerosol technologies stems from their distinct advantages over wet and solid-phase chemistry processes, namely, (1) absence of liquid by-products; (2) simple and less expensive particle collection; (3) few processing steps; (4) continuous operation and (5) high product yield. Moreover, transport phenomena, including diffusion in gases, afford more rigorous treatment, which facilitates process design towards products of high purity and non-equilibrium metastable phases. The scalability of such synthesis platform for lignin colloidal particles is demonstrated together with improved product quality under decreased production costs. Here, we discuss the economic balance considering production costs and factoring constraints that are part of the scientific discussion to succeed in the expansion of the opportunities for valorization of lignin for a wide range of new products. According to the life cycle assessment of lignin extraction in Kraft pulping process2, utilization of extracted lignin is a key issue to reduce TRACI environmental impacts. This fact motivates related routes for the valorization of lignin. Overall, this study includes an estimation over the production costs of the lignin colloidal particles by the continuous process using mass allocation and provides guidance on process optimizations that can improve the economic performance of manufacturing process.

Economic analysis of integrated continuous process for colloidal lignin particle via aerosol flow method

255th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.