Fractionation of Pinus radiata by ethanol-based organosolv process

Abstract The lignocellulosic materials are promising feedstock to produce biofuels and bioproducts in the biorefinery framework. However, a pretreatment step is required disrupt lignin-carbohydrate complex. In this work, fractionation of Pinus radiata wood into its main components, cellulose-rich delignified solid, recovered lignin after precipitation, soluble-in-black liquor hemicellulose, was studied. For purpose, an organosolv process employing ethanol/water mixture as solvent absence catalyst carried out. effects operating conditions on solid were evaluated by using 2 3 central composite experimental design, being responses yield, delignification degree, hemicellulose content, glucan content. variables studied temperature (170–200 °C), time (50–100 min), ethanol concentration (40–60%). increase severity (temperature time) reduction favor enrichment due removal solubilization. A content more than 66% obtained applying higher 195 °C longer 90 min, when 40 wt% alcohol used. liquid fraction during (black liquors) used recover hemicellulosic fractions solubilized. Furthermore, correlated with thermal stability measured T 10% .