Oxidation

This article is about oxidative pretreatment. For oxidation as a chemical conversion, see heterogeneous catalysis.

The pretreatment of lignocellulosic material with the use of a strong oxidiser. The oxidiser breaks the ester and ether bonds between lignin and carbohydrates. The reaction can also be performed in water, as wet oxidation. Here, hydroxide radicals are formed which will break down the lignin and carbohydrates.[1]

Feedstock

Lignocellulosic biomass, such as woody biomass, [2] corn bobs, clover, or rye grass.[1]

Process and technologies

The process uses an oxidative agent, such as potassium permanganate or oxygen. In the case of permanganate, the process benefits from higher temperatures for around 6 hours. In the case of oxygen, wet oxidation is often employed, where an oxygen pressure is applied to wet conditions.[1] The process can be combined with alkali hydrolysis, for example using a lime pretreatment with calcium hydroxide.[2]

Product

The oxidation pretreatment results in breaking down the lignin and makes the cellulose and hemicellulose available for further processing. Traces of soluble aromatics, which can hinder further processes, can be formed as a side product.[2]

Technology providers

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No technology providers identified yet.

Patents

Currently no patents have been identified yet.

References

  1. a b c Rajeev Ravindran, Amit Kumar Jaiswal, 2016-01: A comprehensive review on pre-treatment strategy for lignocellulosic food industry waste: Challenges and opportunities. Bioresource Technology, Vol. 199, 92–102. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2015.07.106
  2. a b c Valery B. Agbor, Nazim Cicek, Richard Sparling, Alex Berlin, David B. Levin, 2011-11: Biomass pretreatment: Fundamentals toward application. Biotechnology Advances, Vol. 29, (6), 675–685. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2011.05.005