Optimization of Dissolution Conditions During Fractionation of Corn-cob in ZnCl2.4H2O/Urea Solvent System: A Statistical Approach

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The choice of a suitable pretreatment method and the adjustment of the pretreatment parameters for efficient conversion of biomass to value-added products is crucial to a successful biorefinery concept. Pretreatment of corn cob using ZnCl2.4H2O/ Urea was carried out and optimized in this study. Methods: Effect of pretreatment conditions on cellulose recovery, hemicellulose recovery during the pretreatment of corn cob using ZnCl2.4H2O/ Urea was investigated via response surface methodology approach and optimized in this study. Experimental results were analysed and appropriate predictive empirical linear models were developed for each response. Results: For cellulose recovery, time and temperature, and solvent concentration were significant factors. Hemicellulose recovery in the liquid fraction is impacted by time and solvent concentration, while lignin recovery is affected by time and temperature. Using numerical optimization by desirability function, optimum pretreatment conditions obtained were: 90 min, 120°C and concentration of 71.32%/28.68 (w/w) ZnCl2.4H2O/ Urea. At these conditions, the predicted recovery for cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin were 99.03%, 27.18% and 72.43%, respectively, with a desirability of 0.902. The actual recovery was 91%, 29% and 68% for cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, respectively, at the same conditions. Conclusion: These results indicate that the investigated variables have pronounced effect on the pretreatment of corn cob. Therefore, optimum conditions are required for recovery of desired composition before conversion to value-added products.

Study of hygroscopic properties of the mixture of porous and non-porous materials by using optical techniques

“…Green Chemistry represents an interesting alternative to protect the environment. Compounds with urea are widely used in green chemistry, for fertilizers making processes, biocarbon and cellulose solvent and biomass pretreatment in biorefinery processes Al-Samarrai et al (2018); Guo et al (2019); Cai et al (2018); Ejekwu et al (2019). Urea is the most commonly used nitrogen-based fertilizer given its well-developed manufacturing process and its efficacy in improving nutrient availability and accumulation of proteinaceous compounds in plants Jange et al (2021Jange et al ( , 2023; Arafa et al (2022).…”

“…The adequate pretreatment method and the adjustment of the pretreatment parameters for the recent conversion of biomass to value-added products are crucial to a successful biorefinery concept. Pretreatment of corn cob using ZnCl 2 .4H 2 O/Urea was successfully carried out in biorefinery applications Ejekwu et al (2019). Conventional urea hydrolysis represents losses of 50%, whose decomposition products generate air pollution and water currents, due to the volatilization of greenhouse gases and ozone sequestrants, and nitrate leaching, respectively.…”