Process for producing phenolic compounds from lignins
First Claim
1. A process for the production of a phenolic compound substantially in liquid form having a molecular weight from about 100 to (300) less than 168, which molecular weight was determined using multivariate techniques, from a single lignin or a mixture of different lignins, the process comprising:
- a) pyrolyzing the lignin mixture of lignins in the presence of from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of a strong base at a temperature of from about 400°
C. to about 600°
C. for a time period of from about one minute to about three minutes recover a yield of at least 15% low molecular weight phenolic compounds from the single lignin or the mixture of different lignins.
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Abstract
A process for the production of low molecular weight phenolic compounds from lignins through the pyrolysis of the lignins in the presence of a strong base. In a preferred embodiment, potassium hydroxide is present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, the pyrolysis temperature is from about 400° C. to about 600° C. at atmospheric pressure, and the time period for substantial completion of the reaction is from about 1-3 minutes. Examples of low molecular weight phenolic compounds produced include methoxyphenols, non-methoxylated phenols, and mixtures thereof.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A process for the production of a phenolic compound substantially in liquid form having a molecular weight from about 100 to (300) less than 168, which molecular weight was determined using multivariate techniques, from a single lignin or a mixture of different lignins, the process comprising:
a) pyrolyzing the lignin mixture of lignins in the presence of from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of a strong base at a temperature of from about 400°
C. to about 600°
C. for a time period of from about one minute to about three minutes recover a yield of at least 15% low molecular weight phenolic compounds from the single lignin or the mixture of different lignins.- View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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2. A process for the production of a phenolic compound substantially in liquid form having a molecular weight from about 100 to (300) less than 168, which molecular weight was determined using multivariate techniques, from a single lignin or a mixture of different lignins, the process comprising:
a. pyrolyzing the lignin or mixture of lignins in the presence of from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of a strong base at a temperature of from about 400°
C. to about 600°
C. to recover a yield of at least 15% low molecular weight phenolic compounds from the single lignin or the mixture of different lignins, and wherein the time period is from about one to about five minutes.- View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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17. A process for the production of a phenolic compound substantially in the form of a liquid having a molecular weight determined by multivariate techniques from about 100 to less than 168 from a single lignin or a mixture of different lignins, the process comprising:
a) pyrolyzing the lignin for a period of from about one to about five minutes at a temperature of from about 400°
C. to about 600°
C. in the presence of a strong base at a concentration sufficient to recover a yield of at least 15% of the phenolic compound.- View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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23. A process as claimed in claim 23, wherein from about 0.01% to about 0.9% by weight potassium ferricyanide is present.
Specification