Approach to biomass delignification
A process to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock, said process comprising the steps of: providing said lignocellulosic feedstock; providing a composition comprising; an acid; a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; imidazole derivatives; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; alkylsulfonic acid; arylsulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and combinations thereof; a peroxide salt; and a peroxide; exposing said lignocellulosic feedstock to said composition for a period of time sufficient to depolymerize substantially all of the lignin present in said lignocellulosic feedstock into lignin oligomers and lignin monomers; wherein said process is carried out at atmospheric pressure.
1. A process to separate lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock, said process comprising the steps of:
providing said lignocellulosic feedstock;
providing a vessel;
providing a composition comprising;
an acid;
a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of: sulfamic acid; imidazole; imidazole derivatives; taurine; a taurine derivative; a taurine-related compound; alkylsulfonic acid; arylsulfonic acid; triethanolamine; and
combinations thereof;
a peroxide salt; and
a peroxide;
exposing said lignocellulosic feedstock to said composition in said vessel for a period of time sufficient to depolymerize substantially all of the lignin present in said lignocellulosic feedstock into lignin oligomers and lignin monomers;
wherein said process is carried out at atmospheric pressure.
2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the taurine derivative or taurine-related compound is selected from the group consisting of: taurolidine; taurocholic acid; tauroselcholic acid; tauromustine; 5-taurinomethyluridine and 5-taurinomethyl-2-thiouridine; homotaurine (tramiprosate); acamprosate; and taurates.
3. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the alkylsulfonic acid is selected from the group consisting of: methanesulfonic acid; ethanesulfonic acid; sulfamic acid and combinations thereof.
4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the arylsulfonic acid is selected from the group consisting of: orthanilic acid; metanilic acid; sulfanilic acid; benzenesulfonic acid; and toluenesulfonic acid.
5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the initial temperature of the composition prior to the step of exposing it to the lignocellulosic feedstock is below 50° C.
6. The process according to claim 1 , wherein an amount of peroxide salt is added after a first run of separating lignin from a lignocellulosic feedstock to the remaining composition left in said vessel prior to a second run using the same composition.
7. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the peroxide salt is selected from the group consisting of: organic peroxides; hydroperoxides; inorganic peroxides; and combinations thereof.