Extraction and valorization of cellulose from municipal and industrial waste biomass

Identifier:  TDX:3111

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX3111

Authors:  Glińska, Katarzyna

Abstract:
Cellulose is the most abundant organic polymer on the planet. Due to its properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, thermal and chemical stability it has been used in many applications. Cellulose can be obtained from biomass waste without exposing the food and feed supplies, forests, and biodiversity in the world. Biomass is composed of cellulose fibers which are embedded in a solid matrix of lignin and hemicelluloses. In order to release them pretreatment processes of biomass must be performed. Over the past years the dissolution of lignocellulosic biomass in ionic liquid has drawn a great attention. Ionic liquids are used as green replacement for harmful volatile organic solvents due to their non-volatile character, excellent chemical and thermal stability. This thesis investigates the extraction and valorisation of cellulose from biomass waste: industrial paper sludge, municipal sewage sludge and agricultural corn stover as a potential source of carbohydrates, mainly cellulose, which can be converted into value-added molecules. At the same time, this work follows the concept of circular economy for biomass waste.