Abstract
Abstract Woody biomass has been proposed as a versatile raw material to be upgraded in energy vectors and value-added products. Nevertheless, most studies have focused on the cellulose and hemicellulose conversion reducing the potential of lignin as a value product that can be commercialized or upgraded. Thus, this paper aims to evaluate the influence of the lignin extractions process on the economic performance of a woody-based biorefinery addressed to produce lignin and levulinic acid as products. Kraft, Soda, and Organosolv extraction methods were assessed and compared. After a simulation procedure and economic assessment using experimental information and kinetic models reported in the open literature, the results show the Kraft process as the most suitable option to produce both lignin and levulinic acid. The simulation process results show that the organosolv process requires higher processing scales than Kraft and Soda processes to reach economic feasibility. In conclusion, the further valorization of lignin in other high value-added products is necessary to increase the economic performance of extracting lignin. Moreover, the inclusion of high added-value products such as levulinic acid reduces processing scale and increases the possibility of implementing this type of process.
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