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ArticleA Convergent Approach for a Deep Converting Lignin-First Biorefinery Rendering High-Energy-Density Drop-in Fuels
Context & Scale
Heterogeneous catalysis is no longer limited to the conversion of lignin wastes from cellulosic-centric industries, but has expanded to offer innovative solutions for the deconstruction of lignocellulose by reductive processes. Such solutions are referred to as lignin-first biorefining. They are highly efficient at preventing the generation of recalcitrance in the lignin streams while yielding delignified pulps. Herein, a lignin-centered convergent approach rendering two main cuts of branched hydrocarbons (gasoline: C6-C10, and kerosene/diesel: C14-C20) is introduced. As the hydrodeoxygenation of lignin streams is H2-intensive, the utilization of pulp as an H2 source via gasification is proposed. The cellulosic H2 shows potential for covering the H2 demand for the production of drop-in lignin fuels. Importantly, the energy content of the lignin fuels relative to the energy content of the lignocellulose is approximately 2- to 2.5-times higher than that of cellulosic ethanol. Therefore, it is now timely to question whether cellulosic bioethanol is the most sensible target fuel from lignocellulose.
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