Application of direct thermal liquefaction for the conversion of cellulosic biomass

Abstract

Direct thermochemical conversion of cellulosic biomass to useful products has been studied as en alternative to conventional biological processes. At temperatures of 250-400 O C and pressures up to 20.7 MPa in the presence of sodium carbonate, pure cellulose was converted to a mixture of phenols, cyclopentanones, and hydroquinones as well as other components. This liquefaction oil and others were examined for their use as fuel asphatt substitutes and wood adhesives. The product composition tended to change with liquefaction time. One major product of cellulose liquefaction, 2,5dimethyl-l,4benzenediol, was formed during a reduction-oxidation procedure involving acetoin and biacetyl. The use of alkaline catalysts under liquefaction at 300 O C was shown to shift the mechanism from one involving aqueous pyrolysis (predominant furan formation) to one incorporating aldol and related condensations.

Processing of Biomass with Hydrothermal and Supercritical Water

“…This is of interest because it confirms previous observations during the conversion of lignocellulosic material. Usually, it is assumed that aromatic compounds originate from lignin [29,30].…”

Synergetic deoxy reforming of cellulose and fatty acid esters for liquid hydrocarbon-rich oils

“…A TRACE GC Ultra Thermo gas chromatograph equipped with a DSQ mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used for analyzing the organic phases (Nelson et al, 1984). A fused-quartz capillary column coated with TR-5MS was used as the stationary phase (30 m  0.25 mm  0.25 lm).…”

Hydrothermal Liquefaction – Upgrading

“…∼ 1200-1300 [13] 1140 [16] ∼ 820-845 [15] Viscosity / Pas 0.02-0.1 [13] 0.035-0.055 [16] 0.75-1 b# [17] Higher heating value / (MJ/kg) 16-19 [14] 30-36 [12] a Some pyrolysis plants deliver two liquid products: an organic phase and a water phase. In this case the water content is lower and the heating value higher.…”