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Alternative Uses for Lignin

Alternative Uses for Lignin. Lisa Lai Tuesday, April 28 2009. Outline. A review of lignin chemistry Current use and isolation Arboform: lignin plastic Lignosulfonates In building materials Other uses Conclusions. Lignin. 3-dimensional phenolic polymer Complex structure

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Alternative Uses for Lignin

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  1. Alternative Uses for Lignin Lisa Lai Tuesday, April 28 2009

  2. Outline • A review of lignin chemistry • Current use and isolation • Arboform: lignin plastic • Lignosulfonates • In building materials • Other uses • Conclusions

  3. Lignin • 3-dimensional phenolic polymer • Complex structure • Composes ~15-40% of lignocellulosic biomass • 2nd most abundant natural polymer Sakakibara

  4. Lignin monomers

  5. Lignin linkages

  6. Lignin: proposed structures Adler Freudenberg

  7. Lignin: more proposed structures Nimz Forss

  8. Lignin: current use • In Kraft pulping, lignin is recovered in black liquor • 50 million metric tons produced annually worldwide • ~95% of this is incinerated for thermal electrical energy • Burning generates an average fuel value of 23.4 Mj/kg

  9. Arboform • A lignin-based thermoplastic • Made from a mixture of lignin, plant fibers, and waxes • Developed by German company Tecnaro in 1998 • Appearance and some physical properties similar to wood • Moldable like plastic

  10. Arboform: chemical properties • Pelletized mixture of lignin, fine fibers of wood, hemp or flax, and wax • Up to 50% lignin • Liquifies at temperatures as low as 170°C • Polypropylene: ~160°C • Polyethylene: 105-120°C • Polystyrene: ~240°C • Thermally stable up to 105°C • Can be injection molded similar to conventional plastic

  11. Arboform: physical properties • Better molding capabilities than plastic • Irregular fiber orientation resists warping • Flooring & building material • Good acoustic properties (speakers & musical instruments) • Currently 300 metric tons produced annually

  12. An alternative to plastic? • More than 100 million metric tons of plastics originating from crude oil are produced annually (worldwide) • The pacific trash vortex is twice the size of Texas, reaches 300 feet below sea level, and 90% of it is plastic

  13. Disadvantages: Some forms are not water resistant Requires removal of sulfur Cost: $1.60/lb, compared with less than $1/lb for polypropylene Arboform: Pros and Cons • Advantages: • Completely biodegradable • Can be burned after use • Not made from crude oil • At least as strong as plastic

  14. Lignosulfonates • Produced in the acid sulfite pulping process • One metric ton of pulp produces 330-540 kg of lignosulfonate

  15. Sodium lignosulfonates as plasticizers for concrete • Concrete is formed by mixing: • Water • Cement • Aggregate • Lignosulfonates reduce the amount of water needed, making concrete stronger • World revenue generated from lignosulfonates estimated at $490-550 million

  16. Sodium lignosulfonates as plasticizers for concrete • SEM images of Portland cement (b) without, and (c) with the addition of lignosulfonate • Lignosulfonate inhibited hydration of cement • Exact mechanism is unknown, but adsoption of lignosulfonates on the surface of cement particles is suspected

  17. Other uses for lignosulfonates • Dispersant • Chemical dyes, plasterboard • Binder • Dirt roads • Emulsifier • Chelating agent • Food additives • Vanillin

  18. Conclusions • Lignin has a number of potentially valuable uses • More research will be needed in order to make production of these materials cost-effective • Market conditions will have to change in order for Arboform to become competitive with conventional plastic

  19. Thank you! Questions?

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