Process development, techno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment for laccase catalyzed synthesis of lignin hydrogel

Abstract

In this study, an effort has been undertaken to study process design, techno-economic analysis, and life-cycle assessment (LCA) of lignin hydrogel (LH) which has potential applications in environmental remediation. Minimum selling price (MSP) of LHs has been estimated to be 2,141 US$/ton and it lies within the range of market price (1,420–2,280 US$/ton) for commercial coagulants. Further, sensitivity analysis has been conducted and it was observed that “% efficiency of lignin hydrogel production” and “lignin price” were the most influential parameters. Uncertainty analysis has also been conducted to study the influence of volatility in the market price of lignin and total capital investment on MSP of LH. From LCA study, it was estimated that the proposed process will emit 2.8 kg CO2 eq. and 1.1 kg Oil eq./kg lignin hydrogel. The developed process can be utilized for lignin upgradation in biorefineries to develop economically feasible and sustainable processes.