Aqueous two-phase extraction for the recovery and reuse of ionic liquids in downstream biorefinery processes
Description of the research line
Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) have been largely exploited since the 1980’s as separation processes with low energy demand. In this research line, their use in the recovery of biorefinery streams, specifically in processes involving protic ionic liquids as solvents, is investigated. The main objective is to obtain equilibrium data that allow the study of extraction processes as an alternative to other separation processes that require higher energy costs for solvent separation. Specifically, the process under study seeks the separation of protic ionic liquids from lignin. Once the different extraction alternatives are studied, the proposed processes can be optimized based on their techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment.
Funding:
Project PID2021-1242310B-I00: Aqueous two-phase extraction for the recovery and reuse of ionic liquids in downstream biorefinery processes