Effect of the Temperature on the Composition of Lignin Pyrolysis Products

Abstract

The temperature dependence of the pyrolysis products of two types of lignin (Alcell lignin and Asian lignin) was investigated using pyrolysis−gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (PyGC−MS). About 50 compounds were identified and quantified for each type of lignin over a temperature range of 400−800 °C. The maximum yield of phenolic compounds was obtained at 600 °C for both lignins, which was 17.2% for Alcell lignin and 15.5% for Asian lignin. Most of the phenolic compounds had an individual yield of less than 1%; however, for Alcell lignin, 5-hydroxyvanillin was the highest yield at 4.29 wt % on dry ash-free lignin, and for Asian lignin, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol was the highest yield at 4.15 wt % on dry ash-free lignin.

Low-Power Microwave Radiation-assisted Depolymerization of Ethanol Organosolv Lignin in Ethanol/Formic Acid Mixtures

“…Toledano et al (2014b) concluded that the formation of desaspidinol depends on the solvent utilized in the system. Jiang et al (2010) studied the composition of the lignin pyrolysis products at various temperatures (from 400 to 800 °C). Desaspidinol was detected in both Alcell lignin and Asian lignin pyrolysis products by pyrolysis GC-MS. As the temperature increased from 400 to 800 °C, the proportion of desaspidinol decreased from 0.555 wt.% to 0.275 wt.% in the Alcell lignin pyrolysis vapor, and from 0.134 wt.% to 0.038 wt.% in the Asian lignin pyrolysis vapor (Jiang et al 2010).…”

“…Jiang et al (2010) studied the composition of the lignin pyrolysis products at various temperatures (from 400 to 800 °C). Desaspidinol was detected in both Alcell lignin and Asian lignin pyrolysis products by pyrolysis GC-MS. As the temperature increased from 400 to 800 °C, the proportion of desaspidinol decreased from 0.555 wt.% to 0.275 wt.% in the Alcell lignin pyrolysis vapor, and from 0.134 wt.% to 0.038 wt.% in the Asian lignin pyrolysis vapor (Jiang et al 2010). Table 2 presents the Mw and Mn values, as well as the molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn), of the depolymerization products.…”

“…At present, valuable applications for this underutilized resource have attracted considerable attention. With the development of ethanol biorefineries, lignin has become a noteworthy potential feedstock for biofuels and aromatic chemicals (Jiang et al 2010). For example, as the primary plant biomass component, lignin contains numerous oxygen functional groups, such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl groups.…”

“…In addition, by breaking down the lignin into small molecules, several compounds, such as vanillin, can be commercially produced (Hocking 1997). However, lignin degradation remains a challenge because of the highly complex structure of lignin, technological barriers, and adverse economic considerations (Badamali et al 2008;Jiang et al 2010).…”

Catalytic Stepwise Pyrolysis of Technical Lignin

“…C-C bonds are the most stubborn bonds in lignin structures, and their cleavage only appears at high temperatures (Li et al 2015). Jiang et al (2010) studied the effect of temperature on the composition of lignin pyrolysis products and concluded that the maximum yield of phenolic compounds was obtained at 600 °C. However, pyrolysis oil obtained from the direct fast pyrolysis process also had some adverse properties, such as high acidity, high oxygen content, and the inherent complexity related to being a multicomponent mixture (Garcia-Perez et al 2007).…”