Upgrading of kraft lignin pyrolysis products: Managing sulfur impurities

Abstract

Pyrolysis stands as a powerful method for the valorization of biomass like kraft lignin, an aromatic-rich and sulfur-containing polymeric by-product from the pulping industry. Sulfur in the raw matrix is released during thermal processes and is redistributed in pyrolysis products. However, the presence of sulfur lowers the quality of products due to its corrosive and toxic character. In this work, commercial activated carbons have been used as adsorbents to remove the main sulfur compounds from the gas phase (i.e., CH₃SH, COS, H₂S). The analysis of sulfur content in biochar has been performed through SEM-EDXS, while the sulfur content in oils has been obtained by GC–MS analysis. The adsorption of sulfur on the activated carbon bed results in an enhancement of the release of sulfur in the gas phase from 34 % without activated carbon to 44 %. Up to 88 % of H₂S removal is achieved after the adsorption step, together with a reduction of the overall sulfur content in the bio-oil rich in intermediates such as guaiacols and alkylated phenols. The residual sulfur contained in the liquid product is lowered to 3 % of the total sulfur in the system, thus improving the quality of the liquid pyrolysis product. This process limits the amount of sulfur in the gas and improves its quality and market value. At the same time, this results in a redistribution of sulfur in pyrolysis products such as bio-oil, improving its range of application as a source of chemical intermediates from kraft lignin.