Title: ○2 Role of Heterogeneous Catalysis in Liquid Phase Lignocellulose Processing
Speaker: Prof. Bert F. Sels (KU Leuven)
Time: 15:00-17:00p.m., July 10th, 2016
Venue: Room 105, Shaw Engineering Building, Wushan Campus

Abstract:
The presentation discusses the processing of lignocellulose in liquid phase in presence of solid catalysts. There is a manifold of state-of-the-art procedures (organosolv, …) which allow refining solid biomass feedstock into different fractions, most of them being able to provide a cellulose pulp, next to a mixture of soluble hemicellulose and lignin products. However, valorization of the latter into chemicals seems difficult. KULeuven has worked out a catalytic lignin-first refinery approach, enabling the refinery of lignocellulose into a solid carbohydrate pulp (hemicellulose+cellulose) and soluble lignin fraction. Depending on the origin of lignocellulose, both high delignification degree and pulp retention were demonstrated. In fact, the lignin fraction is a stable oil containing a handful of monomeric alkyl phenols, next to dimers and
oligomeric polyphenols. The phenol selectivity highly depends on the used catalyst, while various bio-derived solvents may be used in the process, impacting the morphology of the pulp. The carbohydrate pulp may be used in the pulp and paper applications, but can also be useful for chemicals productions. Many examples will be highlighted and their choice is motivated by a new decision-making assessment based on atom economy and molecule functionality. The role of catalysis will be demonstrated in the preparation of these chemicals.