Hydrogen-free reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) is a promising method to extract and depolymerize lignin from native biomass without the use of external hydrogen gas. Here, we show that Pt/C and...

Current solvent end-of-life (EoL) evaluation practices lack a rigorous yet computationally and data inexpensive means of evaluating solvent recycling options. Furthermore, previous analyses have focused on distillation for separation of binary solvent−solvent mixtures. This work evaluates the potential for membrane separations (via organic solvent reverse osmosis (OSRO)) to reduce solvent EoL impacts, and compares it to distillation and disposal via incineration. The energy demands and process costs for separation of binary mixtures are estimated using only readily available properties. Solvent recycling is consistently found to be energetically favored over incineration with few exceptions. The major determinants in predicting separation energy are relative property differences (e.g., boiling point or permeances), challenging current notions in solvent selection guides. Further analysis focusing on 15 industrially salient solvents shows that process conditions significantly impact energy demands and process economics; specifically, feeds with higher compositions of permeable components, higher OSRO pressures, and lower product purity requirements tend to require less energy when separated via OSRO compared to distillation. Economic factors show less resolute trends and generally favor distillation. These findings illustrate the need to consider the overall process when evaluating solvent options, rather than the properties of an isolated solvent.