| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method for extracting aromatic compounds from aqueous, alkaline compositions containing lignin, which have a pH value of at least pH 10, in particular of at least pH 11, especially of at least pH 12, characterized in that the aqueous, alkaline composition containing lignin is treated with active carbon, the active carbon separates from the aqueous, alkaline composition containing lignin and the active carbon then undergoes a desorption step in order to extract the aromatic compounds, wherein the desorption step comprises the treatment of the active carbonn (i) by means of an organic solvent, which essentially consists of one or more aromatic hydrocarbons or a mixture of at least one aromatic hydrocarbon together with at least one C 1 -C 4 alkanol, or (ii) by means of water vapor,n nwherein an eluate is obtained which contains the aromatic compounds. |