Techno-Economic Assessment of Peruvian Stipa Ichu Microfibres by Steam Explosion

ABSTRACT

Steam explosion as a pre-treatment for lignocellulosic fibers is an eco-friendly technology for obtaining cellulose microfibres. This study used a sustainable process design to produce Stipa Ichu (endemic fiber) cellulose microfibres on a pilot scale. Pseudolignin models and experimental data from recent studies were used to validate and simulate the steam explosion in a range of 150 to 220°C using acetic acid concentrations of 0.1 to 0.3 g/g of fiber. A peak yield of 92% was obtained for lignin recovery. The proposed process, which would produce 5 tons of dried cellulose microfibres per year, is economically feasible with an ROI of 48% and a PBP of 2.45 years. Additionally, the process is environmentally viable, with an E-factor of 9.42.

摘要

蒸汽爆破作为木质纤维素纤维的预处理是一种获得纤维素微纤维的环保技术. 本研究采用可持续的工艺设计，在中试规模上生产Stipa Ichu（地方性纤维）纤维素微纤维. 使用假木质素模型和最近研究的实验数据来验证和模拟150至220°C范围内的蒸汽爆炸，使用0.1至0.3 g/g纤维的乙酸浓度. 木质素回收率最高可达92%. 拟议的工艺每年生产5吨干燥纤维素微纤维，在经济上可行，投资回报率为48%，PBP为2.45年. 此外，该工艺在环境上是可行的，E因子为9.42.

KEYWORDS:

• Cellulose microfibres
• Stipa ichu
• steam explosion
• pseudolignin kinetics and process design

关键词:

• 纤维素微纤维
• 蒸汽爆炸
• 假木质素动力学和工艺设计

Highlights

• Pretreatment of Peruvian Stipa Ichu was performed by steam explosion to highly hydrolyzate lignin avoiding Pseudolignin formation to isolate cellulose to produce microfibers.

• Better results were obtained in the steam explosion reactor at 150°C and 14 minutes by simulation of modified Pseudolignin kinetic.

• Isolation and synthesis of cellulose microfibres is economically feasible in a pilot scale overview with production of 5 tons per year. Method proposed also indicates that is sustainable using organic acid as only catalyst and by E-factor.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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Additional information

Funding

This paper was written in the context of the Project funded by CONCYTEC, under the contract number N°141-2020 - PROCIENCIA. The authors of this paper appreciate the financial support from the Peruvian Government.