Minimizing Precipitated Lignin Formation and Maximizing Monosugar Concentration by Formic Acid Reinforced Hydrolysis of Hardwood Chips

Intrinsic dissolution kinetics and topochemistry of xylan, mannan, and lignin during auto‐hydrolysis of red maple wood meal

“…Commercial implementation of this route has proven to be very difficult due to complex logistics and technical difficulties associated with low density annual crops such as corn stover. Another problem is the plugging of piping and reactors with lignin deposits when deconstructing the biomass using dilute acid hydrolysis, hot water, or steam (i.e., autohydrolysis) . Autohydrolysis is the preferred pretreatment to open up the lignocellulosic structure because the use of water makes it cost effective and environmentally friendly.…”

Hydrothermal liquefaction of sewage sludge: use of HCOOH and KOH to improve the slurry pumpability in a continuously operated plant

“…In the literature it is reported that basic or acidic solution may interact following different pathways with organic matter of the feedstock. Dido et al [ 30 ] suggested that the addition of formic acid suppresses the precipitation of lignin by forming formate esters with its hydroxyl groups, thus preventing further condensation [ 31 ] at high temperature. Alternatively, it is possible that in acidic conditions, formic acid in its protonated form may generate a formyl cation [ 32 ], which could react with the aromatic ring of dissolved lignin, reducing its reactivity to combine with another soluble lignin fragment.…”