Integrated Approach to the Conversion of Lignocellulose from Wood into Useful Chemicals

摘要

Progress in fundamental and analytical studies involved in converting components of low-quality southern hardwoods into useful chemicals is presented. Specific objectives include prehydrolysis of hemicelluloses for optimum conversion to sugars, hydrochloric acid hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose, conversion of lignin residues to low molecular weight compounds, and preliminary process design of an integrated wood chemicals plant. An improved high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is described for determining glucose and its oligomers from wood hydrolysis. Studies of prehydrolysis of sweetgum were conducted at hydrochloric acid concentrations of 20-30 percent over the temperature range 30-60C and the results reported. Hydrolysis and irradiation experiments included characterization and conversion by hydrogenation and organosolve hydrolysis studies. Conditions for depolymerization of hydrochloric acid-lignin in aqueous organic solvent solutions have been optimized. A preliminary process design for prehydrolysis and hydrolysis of hardwoods has been developed.