Effect of steam explosion pretreatment with ultra-high temperature and pressure on effective utilization of softwood biomass

Effective utilization process of not only cellulose but also lignin contained in softwood biomass into useful fuel and materials was developed using steam explosion with ultra-high temperature and pressure steam, extraction and various conversion methods. The conversion of softwood biomass into useful materials was studied for the effective utilization of its components such as cellulose, water soluble material, methanol soluble lignin, and Klason lignin. The cellulose, water soluble material, methanol soluble lignin, and Klason lignin were converted into useful fuel and materials, i.e. ethanol, antioxidant material, lignin epoxy resin, and activated carbon, respectively. 49.6 g of glucose or 17.4 g of ethanol was obtained from 100 g of steam-exploded product treated at a steam pressure of 45 atm and 3 min. Water soluble material had a comparatively high antioxidant activity and methanol soluble lignin was converted into a cured epoxy resin with heat-resisting property for solder demanded in the electronic material field.

► Ultra-high temperature and pressure steam explosion is very effective for softwood.
► Steam explosion at 45 atm and 3 min provides the highest sugar yield from softwood.
► We present total conversion system of softwood into useful fuels and materials.