Integrated Forest Biorefinery – Prehydrolysis/Dissolving Pulping Process

The hemicelluloses removal is a key step of the dissolving pulp production process, which is carried out in a steam or water pre-hydrolysis stage. The conversion of hemicelluloses to other value added products was comprehensively described in the literature as a part of forest biorefinery utilization. Principally, the hydrolysis stage of a dissolving pulp production process can be the first step of producing value added products, which converts the pulp mill to a forest biorefinery unit. In this chapter, the impacts of hydrolysis and process conditions on biomass removal from wood chips are discussed, and the characteristics of industrially produced hydrolysis liquor (PHL) are evaluated. Additionally, the biorefinery processes and units, which are compatible with the existing configuration of kraft-based dissolving pulp production process, and the potential value added products and pathways are discussed.