From biorefineries to bioproducts: conversion of pretreated pulp from biorefining streams to lignocellulose nanofibers

This study investigates the use of pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis side streams and conversion to lignocellulose nanofibers. We used a steam-exploded and partial enzymatic hydrolyzed hardwood pulp and an organosolv pretreated softwood pulp to prepare lignocellulose nanofibers (LCNF) via microfluidization. The energies applied on fibrillation were estimated to examine the energy consumption levels of LCNF production. The energy consumptions of the fibrillation processes of the hardwood LCNF production and the softwood LCNF production were about 7040-14080 kWh/ton and 4640 kWh/ton on a dry material basis, respectively. The morphology and dimension of developed hardwood and softwood LCNFs and the stability and rheological behavior of their suspensions were investigated and are discussed.