Model-based process intensification of deep eutectic solvent treatment of eucalyptus slabs for lignin extraction and pulp production

[Display omitted] •The waste eucalyptus slabs are treated with acidic deep eutectic solvents.•Shrinking core model is modified to include the effect of temperature.•New model fits the entire curve of delignification degree versus time.•The established model can predict experimental values well.•The model reinforces the production of lignin and cellulosic fibers. This work revealed the reaction characteristics in the delignification process of eucalyptus slabs catalyzed by acidic deep eutectic solvent (benzyltriethylammonium chloride/formic acid) from the perspective of heterogeneous reactions. The limitation of internal diffusion on delignification process cannot be ignored. Afterwards, a kinetic model based on cell wall structure was proposed to describe the relationship between the delignification degree and reaction conditions, and it also hold excellent predictive ability for lignin removal, carbohydrate retention and solid residue yield. Compared with other reported kinetic models, this novel model not only took into account all operational parameters of reaction process, but also can be applied to the entire reaction process without the need for segmentation. Besides, an essential requirement based on the developed model was a 44.40 wt% formic acid concentration and a temperature of 130 °C, when the purpose of DES treatment was pulping. Generally, this work could provide guidance on process adjustments and product quality control during the DES processing.