Abstract
[EN]Kraft lignin was liquefied using polyethylene glycol #400 (PEG) and
glycerol (G) in a weight ratio of 80/20 (w/w) and sulphuric acid (SA) as catalyst
under atmospheric pressure at 160ºC. The three independent variables: reaction
time (60, 80 and 100 min), percentage of lignin (15, 20 and 25%, w/w), and
catalyst concentration (0, 3 and 6%, w/w), were varied resulting in 27 experimental
runs. The effect of these reaction conditions on the properties of the polyols was
evaluated. The statistical analysis showed that only “the percentage of lignin” did
not influence the properties of the liquefied products, however, reaction time and
catalyst load were important parameters. The resulting liquefied products were
characterized by FTIR analysis.