Method for obtaining cellulose from biomass comprising lignocellulose

• Main Authors: KREIPL ANDREAS, PATT RUDOLF
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.04.2015
• Subjects: APPARATUS THEREFOR; PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE BY REMOVING NON-CELLULOSE SUBSTANCESFROM CELLULOSE-CONTAINING MATERIALS; REGENERATION OF PULPING LIQUORS; TEXTILES

The invention relates to a method for obtaining cellulose by separating lignin from a biomass comprising lignocellulose in the form of plants or plant parts, wherein the biomass comprising lignocellulose is solubilized in a boiler in an alkaline medium comprising alkanol amine, and dissolved lignin is separated from the resulting raw cellulose. Said method is characterized in that the biomass comprising lignocellulose is not from a wood source, and is solubilized at a temperature of less than approximately 170° C. in a solubilizing agent based on alkanol amine and water, wherein the weight ratio of alkanol amine to water is set to 80:20 to 20:80, and raw cellulose thus produced is separated from the waste lye using a typical method. Said method is particularly advantageous for obtaining cellulose from annual plants, particularly wheat straw. The method is advantageously improved in that the solubilization takes place in the presence of a catalyst, particularly of anthrachinon. An advantageous bleaching process may be performed subsequently. Said method is characterized by great economic efficiency, particularly due to the high reclamation rates of the alkanol amine used, and leads to lower environmental impact in wastewater, and to reduced disposal costs. The design of the method leads to a greater yield of cellulose and largely prevents degradation of alkanol amine, particularly monoethanol amine (MEA).