Fractionation process on biomass

This deliverable reports on the work carried out up to M15 regarding the selective production of model fractions. Five alternative fractionation methods were applied, namely i) Hydrothermal fractionation via autohydrolysis (non-catalysed); ii) Hydrothermal fractionation via mild acidic solution for solubilization of hemicelluloses; iii) Organosolv fractionation (non-catalysed/catalysed) for the removal of hemicellulose and lignin; iv) Mild alkaline pretreatment process for lignin recovery; and v) Deep eutectic solvent-based process for removal of hemicellulose and lignin. Sequential hydrothermal and Organosolv treatments to obtain purer cellulose fractions were also evaluated (vi).The fractionation strategies were studied in detail and their operational conditions optimized, enabling the production of high purity (> 80%) hemicellulose, lignin and cellulose fractions with high yields (> 60%).