Ionic liquid fractionation of lignocelluloses: Towards a sustainable bio-refinery concept

Lignocelluloses are made of three biopolymers of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Fractionation of lignocelluloses to its components to obtain homogeneous raw materials is the main challenge for the establishment of a biorefinery. This study investigates the fractionation of lignocelluloses by ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium choloride and PEG. A response surface methodology approach was chosen to fractionate sugarcane bagasse into biopolymers. In order to achive this aim three process variables and responses of glucan, xylan and acid insoluble lignin content of pretreated SCB were considered. Optimization was carried out to obtain a solid fraction of maximum glucan and minimum xylan and acid insoluble content.

Keywords:

ionic liquids , fractionation , lignocelluloses , RSM