Innventia has a number of different separation equipments for biorefinery applications, both on a laboratory scale and industrial scale and in some cases in between.
Black liquor ultrafiltration
During filtration low molecular compounds penetrate the membrane together with the solvent, usually water and cooking chemicals. High molecular weight compounds, such as hemicelluloses and/or high molecular weight lignins, are enriched and can be further washed through diafiltration. Lignin can be fractionated with respect to molecular weight and isolated using an ultrafiltration unit at Innventia. Different membranes are used for different applications of lignin, with cut offs between 1 and 150 kDa. The separation of a specific range of molecular size can be used to produce tailor-made fractions for further processing into higher value products.
The membrane filtration shown below is integrated into the Innventia digester system and can be used without delay between cooking and filtration. Ceramic membranes can be used in a wide range of temperatures and pH and are therefore especially suitable for cooking liquors etc.
Membrane filtration unit with ceramic membranes.
Separation of lignin from black liquor
Equipment for separation of lignin from black liquor according to the LignoBoost process in amounts ranging from gram to ton scale is available at Innventia.
Small LignoBoost equipment (gram scale)
For more information, see LignoBoost process.
Washing of Lignin
In the LignoBoost process, the washing of lignin is essential. Below both unwashed and washed lignin can be seen. The demand of washing depends on the end use of the produced lignin.
Unwashed LignoBoost lignin
Washed LignoBoost lignin
Hemicellulose separation from process liquids
The ultrafiltration unit described above can also be used to separate hemicelluloses from e.g. lignin and inorganics. Especially in hardwood black liquors substantial amounts of xylan can be collected and, if purified, used in high-value products. Hemicelluloses can also be collected from prehydrolysis liquids. After ultrafiltration and diafiltration, the hemicelluloses often need further cleaning and upgrading. Innventia has considerable experience and expertise in this area and offers services to evaluate the potential for xylan production at a specific production site. You are welcome to contact us for consultancy services regarding development of new value-added applications for lignin, hemicelluloses and extractives.