Assessment of an Organosolv lignocellulose biorefinery concept based on a material flow analysis of a pilot plant

The described work investigated ethanol-water fractionation of beech wood as the basic technology for a lignocellulose biorefinery. The main products were glucose, lignin and xylose. The fractionation technology was studied, scaled-up and successfully implemented on pilot scale. Based on an Aspen process simulation of an industrial production plant, the process was assessed economically and ecologically, pointing out the potential benefits of a "lignocellulose biorefinery" and the importance to valorize all the obtained fractions. The process assumptions of the assessment have been tested at the pilot plant and its feasibility was verified.