Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Development of membrane processes in the concept of lignocellulosic biorefineries

Lipnizki, Frank LU orcid ; Thuvander, Johan LU ; Rudolph, Gregor LU orcid and Battestini Vives, Mariona LU orcid (2024) Sweden/Egypt/India International Conference on "WATER PURIFICATION and MANAGEMENT”
Abstract
Introduction
The pulp and paper industry is one of the most significant industrial sectors globally. Current pulp mills primarily focus on producing pulp fibers and electricity. By transforming traditional pulp mills into lignocellulosic biorefineries, they can become a cornerstone of a future circular bioeconomy. To achieve this, pulp mills must close their process loops and, in addition to fiber production, optimize the use of lignocellulosic raw materials for producing biochemicals, biofuels, and other novel materials. This presentation will provide an overview of applications and will highlight in particular two case studies of membrane applications in lignocellulosic biorefineries that can enhance the utilization of wood as a raw... (More)
Introduction
The pulp and paper industry is one of the most significant industrial sectors globally. Current pulp mills primarily focus on producing pulp fibers and electricity. By transforming traditional pulp mills into lignocellulosic biorefineries, they can become a cornerstone of a future circular bioeconomy. To achieve this, pulp mills must close their process loops and, in addition to fiber production, optimize the use of lignocellulosic raw materials for producing biochemicals, biofuels, and other novel materials. This presentation will provide an overview of applications and will highlight in particular two case studies of membrane applications in lignocellulosic biorefineries that can enhance the utilization of wood as a raw material.

Hemicellulose recovery from thermomechanical pulping water
The first case study demonstrates how lignin and hemicellulose can be recovered from the process wastewater of thermomechanical pulp production. These wastewaters contain various lignocellulosic components such as cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, and extractives but are currently sent for biological wastewater treatment. Efficient separation and concentration of these wood chemicals could be crucial for utilizing process wastewater in future lignocellulosic biorefineries. By employing microfiltration and ultrafiltration, it is possible not only to separate hemicellulose from lignin and extractives but also to concentrate the hemicellulose simultaneously.

Lignin concentration and purification from sulfate pulping
The second case study explores the improved utilization of lignin in sulfate pulp production. In the traditional process, lignin is burned during the recycling of cooking chemicals and used for heat and power generation. Alternatively, lignin can be extracted from the black liquor and utilized as biofuels in the form of bio-oil. The sulfate pulp production process can be intensified using ultrafiltration and nanofiltration by combining lignin recovery with the recycling of water and cooking chemicals.

Conclusions and outlook
The presentation provide insights on the optimization of membrane processes in lignocellulosic biorefineries and included findings from fouling and cleaning studies aimed at improving the performance of these membrane processes for. Furthermore, it will provide an outlook on additional membrane applications in lignocellulosic biorefineries.
(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
unpublished
subject
keywords
Membrane processes, Pulp and paper industry
pages
1 pages
conference name
Sweden/Egypt/India International Conference on "WATER PURIFICATION and MANAGEMENT”
conference location
Kottayam, India
conference dates
2024-07-06 - 2025-12-07
project
Sustainable textile wastewater treatment using modified multi-layer membranes with antifouling and antibacterial properties
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
ec940977-2486-4a89-855e-32d2b99c8841
date added to LUP
2025-12-30 23:53:44
date last changed
2026-01-19 12:30:43
@misc{ec940977-2486-4a89-855e-32d2b99c8841,
  abstract     = {{Introduction<br/>The pulp and paper industry is one of the most significant industrial sectors globally. Current pulp mills primarily focus on producing pulp fibers and electricity. By transforming traditional pulp mills into lignocellulosic biorefineries, they can become a cornerstone of a future circular bioeconomy. To achieve this, pulp mills must close their process loops and, in addition to fiber production, optimize the use of lignocellulosic raw materials for producing biochemicals, biofuels, and other novel materials. This presentation will provide an overview of applications and will highlight in particular two case studies of membrane applications in lignocellulosic biorefineries that can enhance the utilization of wood as a raw material.<br/><br/>Hemicellulose recovery from thermomechanical pulping water<br/>The first case study demonstrates how lignin and hemicellulose can be recovered from the process wastewater of thermomechanical pulp production. These wastewaters contain various lignocellulosic components such as cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, and extractives but are currently sent for biological wastewater treatment. Efficient separation and concentration of these wood chemicals could be crucial for utilizing process wastewater in future lignocellulosic biorefineries. By employing microfiltration and ultrafiltration, it is possible not only to separate hemicellulose from lignin and extractives but also to concentrate the hemicellulose simultaneously.<br/><br/>Lignin concentration and purification from sulfate pulping<br/>The second case study explores the improved utilization of lignin in sulfate pulp production. In the traditional process, lignin is burned during the recycling of cooking chemicals and used for heat and power generation. Alternatively, lignin can be extracted from the black liquor and utilized as biofuels in the form of bio-oil. The sulfate pulp production process can be intensified using ultrafiltration and nanofiltration by combining lignin recovery with the recycling of water and cooking chemicals.<br/><br/>Conclusions and outlook<br/>The presentation provide insights on the optimization of membrane processes in lignocellulosic biorefineries and included findings from fouling and cleaning studies aimed at improving the performance of these membrane processes for. Furthermore, it will provide an outlook on additional membrane applications in lignocellulosic biorefineries.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Lipnizki, Frank and Thuvander, Johan and Rudolph, Gregor and Battestini Vives, Mariona}},
  keywords     = {{Membrane processes; Pulp and paper industry}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{07}},
  title        = {{Development of membrane processes in the concept of lignocellulosic biorefineries}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}