Fraunhofer Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes CBPPreparation of the demonstration phase Phase 2
The digestion of wood with alcohol‑water mixtures enables the production of all components of lignocellulose as well as the production of biobased platform chemicals based on cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin and thus the complete material use of the lignocellulose.
Within the scope of the “Lignocellulose Biorefinerie“ project funded by BMEL and the FNR, the organosolv process in Leuna was successfully transferred to the pilot scale and the applicability of the fractions obtained in various products was demonstrated. In the peak cluster project “Biomass digestion Phase 1“ the optimization of the process was carried out and the concept for a demonstration plant developed.
Aim
- The aim of the project “Biomass digestion Phase 2“ is to promote the implementation of the process in a demonstration plant at various levels. The focus is on the following tasks. The precipitation of lignin from the digestion solution by evaporation of the ethanol is to be implemented in the pilot plant as part of the project. A particularly advantageous method has already been developed and patented in the predecessor project together with the Max‑Planck‑Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems.
- As part of the ongoing project, the pilot plant will be planned and the process implemented in Leuna.
- In addition, there are numerous other optimization questions, which are being worked on. As a prerequisite for the economic operation of a large plant, real marketing possibilities for the products from the digestion process should be included and investigated.
A location is to be found in the cluster region, which can provide as many of the required media/utilities as possible to limit investment costs. A consortium of operators and investors is to be set up to implement a demonstration facility.