Silva, Eduardo A.B.Zabkova, MiriamAraújo, José D.Cateto, CarolinaBarreiro, M.F.Belgacem, Mohamed NaceurRodrigues, Alírio2010-01-232010-01-232009Silva, E.A.B. da; Zabkova, M.; Araújo, J.D.; Cateto, C.A.; Barreiro, M.F.; Belgacem, M.N.; Rodrigues, A.E. (2009). An integrated process to produce vanillin and lignin-based polyurethanes from Kraft lignin. Chemical Engineering Research and Design. ISSN 0263-8762. 87:9, p. 1276-12920263-8762http://hdl.handle.net/10198/1413The aim of this manuscript is to present an integrated process that includes reaction and separation steps for producing vanillin and lignin-based polyurethanes from Kraft lignin. It provides details about lignin oxidation and subsequent vanillin recovery, as well as, the synthesis of lignin-based polyurethanes. The oxidation of Kraft lignin in alkaline medium has been carried out in a batch reactor and the optimum operational conditions for vanillin production obtained. The feasibility of a continuous process for vanillin production has been analyzed using a structured bubble column reactor. The generated reaction stream (degraded lignin and sodium vanillate) was further subjected to an ultrafiltration process to recover the vanillate. An ion-exchange process allows recovering the vanillin by passing the vanillate solution through a column packed with an ion-exchange resin in H+ form. The remaining lignin can act as a raw material to produce polyurethanes and/or biofuels. In this work the first approach was explored.engKraft ligninVanillinPolyurethanesOxidationUltrafiltrationIntegrated processjournal article10.1016/j.cherd.2009.05.008