Highly efficient liquefaction of woody biomass with hot-compressed alcohol-water cosolvent

S. Cheng, C. Xu, M. Leitch

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary WorksRGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication)peer-review

Abstract

There were synergic effects of alcohol and water on biomass direct liquefaction, and the 5O%/50% (w/w) co-solvent of either methanol-water or ethanol-water was the most effective solvent for pine sawdust liquefaction, producing ∼ 66 wt % bio-oil yield and > 95% biomass conversion at 300°C. The best temperature (300°C) and the solvent-to-biomass ratio of 10 (w/w) were the optimal condition for direct liquefaction of pine sawdust to produce bio-oil using hot-compressed co-solvent of ethanol-water. At > 300°C, conversion of bio-oil to char might occur by condensation and repolymerization of the liquid bio-oil products. Analyses of the obtained bio-oils revealed the presence of chemical compounds of a high oxygen content, primarily long-chain (and cyclic) alcohols and ketones, followed by phenolic compounds and their derivatives, e.g., benzenes. The relative compositions of the bio-oil products were strongly dependant on the type of solvent used in the liquefaction process. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering (Montreal, Quebec, Canada 8/23-27/2009).
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering: Incorporating the 59th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference and the 24th Interamerican Congress of Chemical Engineering
Pages520b
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes
Event8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering: Incorporating the 59th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference and the 24th Interamerican Congress of Chemical Engineering - Montreal, QC, Canada
Duration: 23 Aug 200927 Aug 2009

Publication series

Name8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering: Incorporating the 59th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference and the 24th Interamerican Congress of Chemical Engineering

Conference

Conference8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering: Incorporating the 59th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference and the 24th Interamerican Congress of Chemical Engineering
PlaceCanada
CityMontreal, QC
Period23/08/0927/08/09

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