1. Institute of Chemical Engineering page 1 Achema 2012 Thermal Process Engineering Evaluation and optimization of an organosolv process Adela Drljo, Felix Weinwurm, Anton Friedl adrljo@mail.tuwien.ac.at, felix.weinwurm@tuwien.ac.at Evaluation and optimization of an organosolv process

2. Institute of Chemical Engineering page 2 Achema 2012 Thermal Process Engineering  “Organosolv” is a procedure for „clean“ biomass fractionation, that uses an organic solvent to obtain lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose from lignocellulosic materials.  At the first stage of research, our working group deals with an organosolv process evaluation through different stages: biomass fractionation, membrane filtration of black liquor, lignin isolation and solvent recovery.  We also use the advantages of process simulation to design and optimize the whole process. Evaluation and optimization of an organosolv process Working group Experimental evaluation Process simulation

3. Institute of Chemical Engineering page 3 Achema 2012 Thermal Process Engineering Organosolv fractionation:  Treatment in a high pressure autoclave at elevated temperature and pressure.  Structure of lignocellulosic biomass is broken up, carbohydrates and lignin are released into the organosolv liquor. Evaluation and optimization of an organosolv process Lignocellulosic biomass Organic solvent + water Solid/Liquid separation Solid residue Organosolv liquor: Sugar analysis (monomeric/oligomeric) Lignin content

4. Institute of Chemical Engineering page 4 Achema 2012 Thermal Process Engineering  Membrane filtration is expected to be an effective tool to: Clean the organosolv liquor Separate valued components Concentrate the organosolv liquor  Compared to other processes, we aim to: Reduce the energy demand Reduce the chemicals consumption Evaluation and optimization of an organosolv process Liquor Concentrate Permeate Membrane unit

5. Institute of Chemical Engineering page 5 Achema 2012 Thermal Process Engineering Process simulation:  Carried out with simulation software Aspen Plus V7.1  Used for development of process simulation model Goals:  Mass and energy balance calculation  Recycling and recovery issues  Performance optimization  Heat integration Evaluation and optimization of an organosolv process