Advanced demethylation and depolymerization strategies for valorizing lignin

在这个合作项目中，莱克黑德大学生物精炼研究所的Fatehi博士和FP Innoves的Daniel Beaudoin博士将研究用于苯酚甲醛和环氧树脂以及聚氨基甲酸酯泡沫塑料的去甲基和解聚木素衍生物的生产。目前，硫酸盐木质素和水解木质素在加拿大通过由FP Innoves开发的Lnoforce和TMP-Bio技术在商业化前和商业化规模上生产。然而，通过这些技术生产的木质素在工业上的使用受到限制。在这个拟议的合作项目中，将从根本上评估在水基系统中生产去甲基和解聚木质素衍生物的机会。将研究各种创新途径，以生产用于粘合剂、树脂和泡沫的去甲基和解聚木素衍生物，并将详细评估与LnooForce和TMP-Bio工艺最兼容的工艺，以促进它们的适应和商业化。Fatehi博士和FP InnoInnovation的员工将密切合作，每季度会面一次，以便将开发的技术改造并实际应用于现有技术。新工艺将帮助FP Innovation在纸浆厂(例如West Fraser木材公司)采用开发的技术，将有价化木质素产品商业化。此外，该项目将使Fatehi博士能够研究与脱甲基化和解聚木素衍生物在胶粘剂、树脂和泡沫应用中的应用相关的基本原理。木质素衍生化学品的生产是建立基于木材的生物精炼厂的一条途径，这将增加加拿大各地纸浆厂的收入并使其多样化。

In this collaborative project, Dr. Fatehi of the Biorefining Research Institute at Lakehead University, along with Dr. Daniel Beaudoin of FPInnovations, will investigate the production of demethylated and depolymerized lignin derivatives for application in phenol formaldehyde and epoxy resins, as well as poly urethane foams. Currently, kraft lignin and hydrolysis lignin are produced at pre-commercial and commercial scales in Canada via the LignoForce and TMP-Bio technologies that FPInnovations developed. However, the use of lignin produced via these technologies is limited in industry. In this proposed collaborative project, the opportunities for producing demethylated and depolymerized lignin derivatives in aqueous based systems will be fundamentally evaluated. Various innovative pathways will be examined to produce demethylated and depolymerized lignin derivatives for their use in adhesives, resins and foams, and the most compatible process with the LignoForce and TMP-Bio processes will be evaluated in detail for facilitating their adaptation and commercialization. Dr. Fatehi and FPInnovations' staff will collaborate closely and meet on a quarterly basis so that the developed technology can be adapted and practically implemented into the existing technologies. The new processes will assist FPInnovations in adopting the developed technologies in pulp mills (e.g., West Fraser Timber company) for commercializing the valorized lignin products. Additionally, this project will enable Dr. Fatehi to investigate the fundamentals associated with the application of demethylated and depolymerized lignin derivatives in adhesives, resins and foam applications. The production of lignin-derived chemicals is a pathway to establish wood based biorefinery, which will increase and diversify the revenues of pulp mills across Canada.