Challenges to Levulinic Acid and Humins Valuation in the Sugarcane Bagasse Biorefinery Concept

Author(s)

Lopes, Emilia Savioli ^[1] ; Silva, Jean Felipe Leal ^[1] ; Rivera, Elmer Ccopa ^{[1, 2]} ; Gomes, Alana Petrina ^[3] ; Lopes, Melina Savioli ^[4] ; Maciel Filho, Rubens ^[1] ; Tovar, Laura Plazas ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Sch Chem Engn, BR-13083852 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Andrews Univ, Dept Engn, Berrien Springs, MI 49104 - USA

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Chem Engn, BR-09913030 Diadema, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Alfenas, Dept Chem Engn, BR-37715400 Pocos De Caldas, MG - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BioEnergy Research; v. 13, n. 3 APR 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Levulinic acid (LA) is currently one of the most promising chemicals derived from biomass. However, its large-scale production is hampered by the challenges in biomass hydrolysis and the poor selectivity due to the formation of humins (HUs). This study addresses these challenges using the biorefinery concept of biomass fractionation. A three-step process (pretreatment, delignification, and acid-catalyzed conversion) was optimized to produce LA from SCB considering the yield (Y-LA), efficiency (E-LA), and concentration of LA (C-LA) as functions of temperature, reaction time, acid concentration, and solids loading. By means of a multi-response optimization, values of Y-LA (20.9 +/- 1.25 g/100g(ISF-D)), E-LA (37.5 +/- 2.24 mol%), and C-LA (25.1 +/- 1.50 g/L) were obtained at 180 degrees C, 75 min, 7.0% w/v H2SO4, and 12.0% w/v of solids loading. Six scenarios for production of LA were analyzed in terms of yields of LA, HUs, lignin, and other sugar-derived products considering one-, two-, or three-step processes. The economic analysis indicated that the three-step scenario delivers better economic figures given that other valuable biomass fractions (hemicellulosic sugars and lignin) are better used and contribute to the overall economic performance of the process. The results also demonstrate the burden of HUs in the economics of the process because it was shown that the largest production of LA is also linked to the largest formation of HUs, which does not necessarily yield the best economic results. These findings indicate the importance of added value by-products for the profitable production of LA in biorefineries. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/23335-9 - Biorefinery development integrated to a bioethanol sugar cane plant with zero CO2 emission: routes to convert renewable resources to bio-products and bio-electricity
• Grantee: Elmer Alberto Ccopa Rivera
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training
• FAPESP's process: 16/10450-1 - Process development for sugarcane conversion to ethyl levulinate: a route for a viable biodiesel additive
• Grantee: Jean Felipe Leal Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 15/17592-3 - Production optimization and obtainment of levulinic acid from sugarcane bagasse and molasses
• Grantee: Emília Savioli Lopes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/20630-4 - Biorefinery development integrated to a bioethanol sugar cane plant with zero CO2 emission: routes to convert renewable resources to bio-products and bio-electricity
• Grantee: Rubens Maciel Filho
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants