Lignin valorization in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvent via catalysis and biocatalysis

• US 10,723,859 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2018
• Issued: 07/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University Of Kentucky Research Foundation (University of Kentucky)
• Original Assignee: University Of Kentucky Research Foundation (University of Kentucky)
• Inventors: Shi, Jian, Das, Lalitendu, Liu, Enshi, Stevens, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Salamon, Peter A
• Application Number:
  US16/037,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20190203012A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: C08H 6/00 Macromolecular compounds derived from lignin, e.g. tannins, humic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 11/105 by treatment with enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 11/16 by treatment with inorganic material C08J11/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2397/00 Characterised by the use of lignin-containing materials of polysaccharides C08J2301/00 - C08J2305/00
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 97/005 Lignin
• CPC Class Codes: C12Y 110/03002 Laccase (1.10.3.2)
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/54 using solvents, e.g. supercritical solvents or ionic liquids
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/62 Plastics recycling; Rubber recycling

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for extracting valorized compounds from lignin by contacting lignins with an ionic liquid and/or a deep eutectic solvent and adding a catalyst and/or a biocatalyst to assist in breaking down the source material. Converting lignin into high value chemicals adds revenues for a bio-refinery and helps to improve the economic viability of biofuel production.

Claims

1. A method for extracting compounds from lignin comprising contacting a lignin source with an ionic liquid (IL) and a deep eutectic solvent (DES);

adding a catalyst thereto;

allowing time for decomposition; and

, extracting valorized compounds from the IL and DES mixture.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst comprises a transition metal or oxide thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst comprises Cu, Mn, Mg, Co, Zn, Fe, Ti, Cr, and Ni or oxides thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is characterized by the general formula of ABO₃ where A is a rare earth, alkaline earth, alkali, or large ion cations;

and B is cations of transition metals.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is a polyoxometalate (POMs) of Group V and VI metals.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the metal is W, Mo, V, and Nb.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is a biocatalyst.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the biocatalyst is selected from the group consisting of laccases, peroxidases, LMPOs, xylanases, and LigA-G.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the biocatalyst is a laccase.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the laccase is of a fungal, bacterial, archaeal, recombinant source, or combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the biocatalyst comprises a lignolytic microbe.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the lignolytic microbe is a yeast, E. coli, rodoccocus, or engineered microbes that are designed to depolymerize lignin, or combination thereof.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the lignin source is Kraft, organosolv, alkaline, acid, lignosulfate, or combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the process occurs in a free solution.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the process occurs on a supported surface.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the supported surface is a membrane, biofilm, zeolite, or MOF.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the process occurs in a single reaction chamber.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the process occurs in a reactor with a membrane to isolate the by-products.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the process occurs under a pH in the range of 1-12, a temperature in the range of 2-200°

C. and a pressure in the range of 0-200 psi.