Isolation method for water insoluble lignin components of a biomass

Abstract

The process includes pretreating the biomass with a first basic solution such as sodium hydroxide and mechanically altering the fibers to provide a fluidized biomass. The fluidized biomass is then subjected to high frequency pulses and shear forces without denaturing the individual components of the biomass. The biomass is then subjected to compressive force to separate a first liquid fraction from a first fractionated biomass. The first fractionated biomass may again then be subjected to the same high frequency pulses and shear forces as previously, particularly if there are hemicellulose and/or sugars still present in the first fractionated biomass. Compressive forces are used to separate a second liquid fraction from a second fractionated biomass. The second fractioned biomass is then subjected to compressive forces to provide lignin in water soluble form.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for treating a biomass to produce water insoluble lignin components of the biomass in water soluble form:
 a) pretreating the biomass with a first basic solution;   b) subjecting the pretreated biomass to shear forces and pulses having a frequency sufficient to fractionate or extract components from the biomass without denaturing the water insoluble components of the biomass, wherein the pulses are between about 300 pulses per second and about 2000 pulses per second and delivered over a duration between about 1 second and about 3 seconds;   c) subjecting the biomass to compressive force to separate a first liquid fraction from a first fractionated biomass;   d) subjecting the first fractionated biomass to the same pulses and shear forces of step b);   e) subjecting the first fractionated biomass to compressive forces to separate a second liquid fraction from a second fractionated biomass wherein the second fractionated biomass is substantially devoid of hemicelluloses and sugars;   f) subjecting the second fractionated biomass substantially devoid of hemicelluloses and sugars to oxidation at a pH above 7; and   g) subjecting the second fractionated biomass to compressive force to provide lignin in water soluble form.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising after step e) contacting the second fractionated biomass substantially devoid of hemicelluloses and sugars with a second basic solution and subjecting the second fractionated biomass to compressive force to separate the lignin from the second fractionated biomass substantially devoid of hemicelluloses and sugars. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second basic solutions comprise sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the steps are conducted at ambient temperature to about 60° C. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the lignin in water soluble form is purified by contacting with a membrane. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the lignin in water soluble form is further processed by emulsifying. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the lignin in water soluble form is further processed by depolymerizing the lignin. 
     
     
         8 . Water soluble lignin produced by the process of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . Emulsified water soluble lignin produced by the process of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         10 . Depolymerized water soluble lignin produced by the process of  claim 7 .