EXDEM-Steam extraction technology for sustainable biomass fractionation

Challenge

Plant-derived biomass is a renewable resource that provides an alternative for fossil carbon compounds and for a variety of petroleum-derived products. Lignocellulosic biomass is a valuable resource for a wide array of applications ranging from biomaterials, production of foodstuffs to energy conversion and production of biofuels.

Solution

EXDEM Technology is a novel and flexible method for separating and recovering compounds from biomass. The method is based on propagation of gaseous extraction fluid, such as steam, through a reaction area containing biomass feedstock in controlled reaction conditions. In these conditions target compound separates from the solid feedstock and is extracted in liquid form.
In addition to extraction of value adding compounds, removal of unwanted components from biomass during fractionation can also be made successfully using the technology. 

Benefits

Our method is beneficial for extracting long-chain hemicelluloses from cellulose-containing feedstocks and can be used in hemicellulose removal in its original stage. The method can also be used to reduce hemicellulose and impurities from the solid fractions without touching cellulose, thus giving better fiber material.

Using EXDEM-method for removal of unwanted components decreases the use of chemicals in the following process and improves yield as well as the quality of liquid and solid fractionation products like pulp, fiber, lignin and hemicellulose.

Applications

EXDEM-steam extraction can remove unwanted organic biomass components from food, feed, and growth medias. Also, bioactive value-added components can be separated before burning or pulping of forest or agricultural biomass. Possible products are dispersants, preservatives, antioxidants, biocides, plant protection or growth stimulation agents.

Luke is looking for industrial partners for further development, scaling up and piloting

Status

 Patent granted in Finland, National patent applications in EU, USA, Canada and Japan, TRL 4