NANOFLOT

Optimization of the production of low size lignin flotation collectors.

Project team: Paul Christakopoulos (project leader), July Ann Bazar, Katerina Hruzova, Leonidas Matsakas, Ulrika Rova

Duration: 2019

Funded by EU-EIT Raw Materials

NANOFLOT aims to study and optimize important process stages before the launch of BATTERFLAI, thereby enhancing its overall value. These stages involve improving lignin productivity to increase the availability of biodegradable collectors and developing a sustainable downstream isolation method to yield organosolv lignin nanoparticles (OLNs) in dried powder form. Additionally, we will explore methods to control and further minimize the size of OLN particles, aiming to produce OLN particles of controllable size, ideally smaller than <100nm. To achieve these objectives, we will optimize the operation of the semi-continuous organosolv apparatus to enhance delignification yields and lignin productivity. We will also investigate how downstream OLN isolation from the homogenization liquor can serve as a stage for controlling their size at desirable levels.