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

Autor(es)

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]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[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

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: BioEnergy Research; v. 13, n. 3 APR 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 1
• Assunto(s): Biorrefinarias Biomassa Bagaço de cana-de-açúcar

Resumo

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)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/23335-9 - Desenvolvimento integrado de biorrefinaria e planta de bioetanol de cana-de-açúcar com emissão zero de CO2: rotas para converter recursos renováveis em bioprodutos e bioeletricidade
• Beneficiário: Elmer Alberto Ccopa Rivera
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Programa Capacitação - Treinamento Técnico
• Processo FAPESP: 16/10450-1 - Desenvolvimento do processo de conversão de cana-de-açúcar a levulinato de etila: uma rota para um aditivo de biodiesel viável
• Beneficiário: Jean Felipe Leal Silva
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado
• Processo FAPESP: 15/17592-3 - Otimização da produção e obtenção do ácido levulínico a partir do bagaço e melaço de cana-de-açúcar
• Beneficiário: Emília Savioli Lopes
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 15/20630-4 - Desenvolvimento integrado de biorrefinaria e planta de bioetanol de cana-de-açúcar com emissão zero de CO2: rotas para converter recursos renováveis em bioprodutos e bioeletricidade
• Beneficiário: Rubens Maciel Filho
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático