Per Tunå

Mr. Per Tunå


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

14Years (2013-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 November 2013 in Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy
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Journal Article
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PTPer Tunå
Per Tunå
CHChristian Hulteberg
Christian Hulteberg
SASerina Ahlgren
Serina Ahlgren

16 August 2019 in Membranes
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Journal Article
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KLKena Li
Kena Li
BABasel Al-Rudainy
Basel Al-Rudainy
MSMingzhe Sun
Mingzhe Sun
OWOla Wallberg
Ola Wallberg
Christian HultebergChristian Hulteberg
Christian Hulteberg
PTPer Tunå
Per Tunå
One way of valorizing the lignin waste stream from the pulp and paper industries is depolymerizing it into low-molecular-mass compounds (LMMC). However, a common problem in the depolymerization of Kraft lignin is the low yields of small aromatic molecules obtained. In the present work, the combination of the repeated depolymerization of lignin and the separation of LMMC from depolymerized lignin to upgrade them into value-added chemicals was studied. In so doing, we investigated the possibility of depolymerizing black liquor retentate (BLR). The base-catalyzed depolymerization of BLR was performed using a continuous flow reactor at 170–210 °C, with a 2 min residence time. The results obtained indicate that BLR can be depolymerized effectively under the experimental conditions. Depolymerized lignin LMMC can be successfully separated by a GR95PP membrane, and thus be protected from repolymerization. Through combining membrane filtration with base-catalyzed depolymerization, more than half of the lignin could be depolymerized into LMMC. Around 46 mg/g of lignin monomers (guaiacol, vanillin, acetovanillone, and acetosyringone), which can potentially be upgraded to high-valued chemicals, were produced. On the basis of our results, we suggest use of a recycling Kraft lignin depolymerization and filtration process for maximizing the production of LMMC under mild alkaline conditions.