Recognizing measures to reduce environmental impacts of lignin-derived hard carbon production

Abstract

Confronted with climate change, the whole world is seeking for more sustainable ways in all aspects to achieve Net Zero emissions. Energy production transition is one of the most important systems changing. When the energy production is moving away from the fossil fuels to renewable sources, energy storage for stationary applications and mobile becomes more important in combating with CO2 emissions. In other word, battery production is expected to become more important.

Many of the battery materials have been considered as crucial material because of the limited and unbalanced reserves in the world. As the dominant anode material in the market, graphite is mined from underground, which bring along a series of environmental issues. To replace fossil-based graphite is imminent. Hard carbon derived from lignin, as an alternative of anode material to replace graphite, provides both economic and environmental benefits.

As a totally innovative project, there are still lots of room to improve in the process. First, the possible environmental impacts of the process were reviewed and the processes which contribute most were explored for improvements. Then it was concluded that improving the material and energy efficiency are the key measures to reduce the environmental impacts. From the material efficiency aspects, it is important to utilize the carbonization off gas. Necessary technologies have been reviewed and recommended for further discussion of the feasibility on site. About the energy efficiency, heat recovery from the off gas was considered. A brief techno-economic analysis was conducted.