(384d) Integrated Electrocoagulation: A Novel Approach for the Separation and Valorization of Lignin

The current challenges in the 21^st century involve large-scale utilization of non-reusable and non-recyclable resources. As a result, the valorization of biomass-derived materials as a suitable alternative to petroleum-based products is getting much attention in recent years. Lignin, making up around 20-25% of plant biomass, is the second most abundant organic molecule available on earth after cellulose. This research aims to establish an integrated and sustainable electrocoagulation process for separating and valorizing the lignin from the black liquor after the kraft pulping process. Our approach to achieving this objective is to systemically investigate the combination of different electrodes (Iron and Aluminum) and their configurations on the efficiency of the lignin separation and the functional properties of the lignin separated. The preliminary results we have obtained show that the yield of lignin separation was 62.03% and 90.74% using Aluminum and Iron electrodes, respectively, after 6 hours at alkaline pH (pH = 11) applying 20 V DC voltage. We are optimizing the electrocoagulation conditions and configurations, including recycling the effluent after the lignin separation. The obtained lignin will be processed and valorized to generate ordered and magnetic mesoporous carbon for applications as a photocatalyst, catalyst, or adsorbent. In addition, we will perform a techno-economic evaluation of our novel process in comparison with the LignoBoost process, a conventional lignin separation process from the black liquor.