Recovery Act - Lignin Recovery and Purification

This project allows pulp and paper mills to extract a purified lignin stream from their recovery process. By making up the fuel value of this extracted lignin the mill remains carbon neutral. A power company that can replace coal with lignin achieves a significant GHG reduction. The sequential liquid lignin recovery and purification process enables a paper mill to recover lignin from their black liquor, while retaining sensible heat and important pulping chemicals. This lignin has comparable energy density as coal and makes a biofuel substitute. During Phase I, batch experiments were conducted to demonstrate the overall feasibility of the approach. Data were generated for design of a continuous pilot plant to be operated during Phase II. During Phase II an integrated continuous pilot plant will be constructed and tested during Phase II. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: Lignin recovered from pulp and paper mills has a three-staged path to the marketplace. At the lowest value, lignin can be used to replace coal at coal prices. The growing market for wood pellets has prices up to 3x the price of coal for a comparable fuel value. Lignin can also be used as a green chemical feedstock, at prices up to 10x that of coal, and a price approaching a dollar a pound.