Method and apparatus for separating lignocellulose particle fraction and lignin particle fraction, lignin particle composition, lignocellulose particle composition and their use

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for separating lignocellulose particle fraction ( 3 ) and lignin particle fraction ( 4 ), in which crude lignin ( 1 ) formed from starting material ( 6 ) comprises lignocellulose particles and lignin particles. According to the invention, the method comprises adding stabilizing chemical ( 11 ) and/or hydrophobic chemical ( 12 ) into the crude lignin ( 1 ) in at least one step, and treating the crude lignin by separating the lignin particle fraction ( 4 ) and lignocellulose particle fraction ( 3 ) from each other in at least one separation step ( 2,8,9,10 ). Further, the invention relates to a lignocellulose particle fraction and a lignin particle fraction and their uses.

1 . A method for separating a lignocellulose particle fraction and a lignin particle fraction from crude lignin, the method comprising:
 adding a stabilizing chemical and, optionally, a hydrophobic chemical into the crude lignin in at least one step, wherein the crude lignin is formed from a wood or plant-based raw material, and   separating the lignin particle fraction and the lignocellulose particle fraction from the crude lignin in more than one solid-solid separation step.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one solid-solid separation step includes application of centrifugal forces, sedimentation, elutriation, aggregation, flotation, flocculation, screening, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the crude lignin is formed by hydrolysis. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing chemical is polysaccharide. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic chemical includes diesel oil, biodiesel oil, fuel oil, bio fuel oil, kerosene, biokerosene, other middle distillate fraction, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the lignin particle fraction and lignocellulose particle fraction are separated from each other in the first separation step. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising purifying the lignocellulose particle fraction in at least one purification step. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising purifying the lignin particle fraction in at least one purification step. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 forming the crude lignin from a starting material; and 
 circulating the lignocellulose particle fraction such that the lignocellulose particle fraction is combined with the starting material to form additional crude lignin. 
 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for separating a lignocellulose particle fraction and a lignin particle fraction from crude lignin, the apparatus comprising:
 at least two solid-solid separating devices for separating the lignin particle fraction and the lignocellulose particle fraction from the crude lignin in more than one solid-solid separation step, wherein the crude lignin is formed from a wood or plant-based raw material;   at least one first feeding device for feeding the crude lignin into the at least one solid-solid separating device; and   at least one second feeding device for adding a stabilizing chemical and, optionally, a hydro-phobic chemical into the crude lignin in at least one step.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one solid-solid separating device is configured to apply centrifugal forces, sedimentation, elutriation, aggregation, flotation, flocculation, screening, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a circulations means for circulating the lignocellulose particle fraction to combine it with starting material used to form the crude lignin.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one dewatering device for dewatering the lignin particle fraction or the lignocellulose particle fraction. 
     
     
         16 . A lignin particle composition, comprising:
 a lignin particle fraction of crude lignin and the crude lignin comprising lignocellulose particles and lignin particles, wherein   the lignin particle fraction has been formed from the crude lignin by adding stabilizing chemical and, optionally, hydrophobic chemical into the crude lignin in at least one step, wherein the crude lignin is formed from a wood or plant-based raw material, and by separating the lignocellulose particle fraction from the lignin particle fraction in more than one solid-solid separation step.   
     
     
         17 . A lignocellulose particle composition comprising:
 a lignocellulose particle fraction of crude lignin, the crude lignin comprising lignocellulose particles and lignin particles, wherein   the lignocellulose particle fraction has been formed from the crude lignin by adding stabilizing chemical and, optionally, hydrophobic chemical into the crude lignin in at least one step, wherein the crude lignin is formed from a wood or plant-based raw material, and by separating the lignin particle fraction from the lignocellulose particle fraction in more than one solid-solid separation step.   
     
     
         18 - 20 . (canceled)