Levulinic acid, a chemical produced during the hydrolysis of biomass, has various applications in the chemical and fuel markets that are unexplored because of several problems related to its large-scale production. Recovery of levulinic acid is challenging because of its low volatility, the presence...

Levulinic acid, a chemical produced during the hydrolysis of biomass, has various applications in the chemical and fuel markets that are unexplored because of several problems related to its large-scale production. Recovery of levulinic acid is challenging because of its low volatility, the presence of other chemicals in the biomass hydrolysate, and the desire to recycle the catalyst. In this work, the recovery cost of levulinic acid from biomass hydrolysate was evaluated and optimized in a complete recovery process, including the evaporation of hydrolysate, extraction, and solvent recycling. Three solvents with different classifications in solvent selection guides were considered: n-butyl acetate, hexane, and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran. In the optimized scenarios, the recovery cost using 2-methyltetrahydrofuran was $0.156 kg–1 (17% lower than that of n-butyl acetate and 32% lower than that of hexane). The simulation results, based on a group contribution method, present a methodology suitable for the early-stage assessment of separation processes to recover renewable chemicals in biorefineries

FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP

2016/10450-1; 2015/20630-4

COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES

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