Selective saccharification of crude glycerol pretreated sugarcane bagasse via fast pyrolysis: Reaction kinetics and life cycle assessment

Saccharification is a pivotal step in the conversion of lignocellulose to biofuels and chemicals. In this study, crude glycerol derived from biodiesel production was used in pretreatment to facilitate efficient and clean pyrolytic saccharification of sugarcane bagasse. Delignification, demineralization, destruction of lignin-carbohydrate complex structure, and cellulose crystallinity improvement in crude glycerol pretreated biomass could enhance levoglucosan producing reactions against competitive reactions, and therefore facilitate a kinetically controlled pyrolysis with apparent activation energy increased by 2-fold. Accordingly, selective levoglucosan production (44.4%) was promoted by 6-fold whilst light oxygenates and lignin monomers were limited to <25% in bio-oil. Owing to the high-efficiency saccharification, life cycle assessment suggested that the environmental impacts of the integrated process were less than those of typical acid pretreatment and petroleum-based processes, especially on the acidification (8-fold less) and global warming potential. This study provides an environmentally benign approach to efficient biorefinery and waste management.