AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS FROM DEPOLYMERIZATION AND DEOXYGENATION OF LIGNIN

摘要

Processes are disclosed that achieve a high conversion of lignin to aromatic hydrocarbons, and that may be carried out without the addition of a base. Depolymerization and deoxygenation, the desired lignin convention steps to yield aromatic hydrocarbons, are carried by contacting a mixture of lignin and a solvent (e.g., a lignin slurry) with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. A preferred solvent is a hydrogen transfer solvent such as a single-ring or fused-ring aromatic compound that beneficially facilitates depolymerization and hinders coke formation. These advantages result in favorable overall process economics for obtaining fuel components and/or chemicals from renewable sources.

主权项

1. A fuel composition comprising a lignin conversion product, the lignin conversion product prepared by the process comprising:
(a) contacting hydrogen, in the presence of a catalyst, with a mixture of lignin and an aromatic-containing solvent under reaction conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the lignin and provide a lignin conversion effluent having an increased quantity of aromatic hydrocarbons relative to the mixture, wherein the aromatic-containing solvent contains at least about 50% by volume aromatic hydrocarbons and the reaction conditions comprise a hydrogen partial pressure from 700 kPa (100 psig) to about 21 MPa (3000 psig); and (b) separating the lignin conversion product from the lignin conversion effluent.