The invention relates to a method for producing lignin particles, comprising the steps of: a) extracting lignin from a lignincontaining starter material, using a mixture that comprises at least one organic solvent and water, and b) precipitating the lignin in the solution from step a).

An acidic water-based process was developed for the synthesis of anionic lignin copolymers with adjustable MW, thermal stability and solubility in water. The anionic lignin copolymer described herein comprises: a molecular weight of 5,000 to 7.4×10.sup.5 g/mol; and a charge density of −1 to −7.2 meq/g. The anionic lignin copolymers described herein which have a molecular weight range of 000-50,000 g/mol can be used as dispersants of negatively charged molecules or particles in numerous process or wastewater streams (e.g. concrete admixtures, gypsum slurries, textile dye) while such copolymers in a molecular weight range of 90,000-740,000 g/mole can be used as flocculants of positively charged molecules or particles in numerous process and wastewater streams including industrial and municipal systems and sludge dewatering in the textile dye, pulp & paper, mining and oil industries.

The present invention relates to an improved process for preparing an aqueous dispersion of lignin and the use of said suspension in the preparation of a resin.

The process includes pretreating the biomass with a first basic solution such as sodium hydroxide and mechanically altering the fibers to provide a fluidized biomass. The fluidized biomass is then subjected to high frequency pulses and shear forces without denaturing the individual components of the biomass. The biomass is then subjected to compressive force to separate a first liquid fraction from a first fractionated biomass. The first fractionated biomass may again then be subjected to the same high frequency pulses and shear forces as previously, particularly if there are hemicellulose and/or sugars still present in the first fractionated biomass. Compressive forces are used to separate a second liquid fraction from a second fractionated biomass. The second fractioned biomass is then subjected to compressive forces to provide lignin in water soluble form.

A solid polymer blend material comprising: (i) a lignin-acrylonitrile component containing a homogeneous blend of a lignin component and an acrylonitrile-containing rubber component; and (ii) a styrene-containing thermoplastic component that is non-elastomeric; wherein components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously dispersed in the polymer blend material. Methods for producing the blend material are also described. Methods for producing objects made of the blend material by melt extrusion are also described, comprising: (a) melt blending components (i) and (ii) to form a polymer blend in which components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously blended, wherein the polymer blend exhibits a melt viscosity of no more than 2000 Pa.Math.s at a shear rate of 100-1000 s.sup.−1 and when heated to a temperature of no more than 240° C.; and (b) forming an object made of said polymer blend material.

Method of forming functionalized colloidal lignin particles, comprising the step of providing lignin in a dissolved form, aldehyde functionalizing lignin, forming a colloidal dispersion of lignin, partially removing organic solvents and heat-curing the dispersion. The concentrated colloidal dispersion is dried by spray drying. The invention can be used in applications where the functioned and colloidal nature of lignin will afford an advantage over bulk lignin.

In a particular implementation, a system for drying lignin may include a mixer configured to receive lignin and one or more types of desiccant beads and to mix the lignin with the one or more types of desiccant beads. The one or more types of desiccant beads may be configured to reduce a moisture content of the lignin by adsorbing moisture from the lignin into the one or more types of desiccant beads. The system may further include a separator coupled to the mixer and configured to separate the lignin from the one or more types of desiccant beads.

The present invention relates to a method for producing lignin in particle form from a liquid containing lignin-containing raw material, the method comprising at least: reacting the liquid with a cross-linking agent (step a)), precipitating the lignin, thereby forming lignin particles in the liquid (step b)), and separating the liquid from the lignin particles formed in step b) (step c)), and wherein, in step b), the liquid is heat-treated, after precipitation, at a temperature in the range of 60 to 200° C. for a period of 1 minute to 6 hours, and/or, in an additional step d) after step c), the lignin particles separated from the liquid are heat-treated at a temperature in the range of 60 to 600° C. The invention also relates to lignin particles which can be obtained according to the method, lignin particles per se, a use of the lignin particles as filler, and a rubber composition comprising, inter alia, a filler component, the latter containing lignin particles as a filler.

A complex non-naturally occurring phenolic compounds mixtures or engineered phenolic compounds compositions, from catalytic degradation of lignocellulose, and the use thereof.

Cellulose-containing compositions and method of making same are disclosed. The compositions comprise a cellulose product comprising a type-I cellulose, a type-II cellulose, amorphous cellulose, or a combination thereof. Further, methods are disclosed for making these compositions and for further hydrolyzing these compositions. Additionally, uses for the cellulose-containing compositions are disclosed.