Abstract
Liquefaction of ligno-cellulosic biomass is one of the chemical conversion technologies for developing new materials, adhesives and energy systems. The liquefaction process also provides an opportunity to utilize ligno–cellulosic wastes such as saw-dust, woody wastes, branches and twigs, agro-residues, etc. for the development of value added products. This paper presents the liquefaction behaviour of wood meal of twelve tropical hardwood species in phenol as liquefying media to produce chemically active liquid which has potential to be used as a raw material for developing different products. The liquefaction was carried out at 140°C temperatures for 120 minutes at different liquid ratios. In all the cases, a viscous and sticky black liquid was obtained after the stipulated reaction time. The liquefaction efficiency was found to vary with species and liquid ratio. The highest liquefaction efficiency of 93% was achieved in balsa wood at 1:3 (wood: phenol) liquid ratio. The liquefied wood and residues were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. The liquefied wood was found to be highly acidic in nature. Viscosity of liquefied wood at higher liquid ratio was independent of wood species. Correlation analysis revealed a strong negative relationship between wood basic density and liquefaction efficiency.
Highlights
In recent years, the utilisation of lignocellulosic biomass has become appealing because of versatility, renewable nature and environmental concerns
Ash content was ranging from 0,84% to 5,27% extractive content was ranging from 1,92% to 16,81% and acid-insoluble lignin content was ranging from 18,84% to 31,86%
At lower liquid ratio, during the initial stages of the process, the dissolving agent was wetting only a small part of wood meal and the stirring was difficult in the reactor vessel
Summary
The utilisation of lignocellulosic biomass has become appealing because of versatility, renewable nature and environmental concerns. One of the promising approaches of utilizing lignocellulosic wastes is its liquefaction and converting the liquefied wood into value added products (Worthy 1990). Hemicellulose and lignin and the crystalline structure of some regions of cellulose make wood extremely resistant to liquefaction, even under severe reaction conditions. Pu and Shiraishi 1993, Pu and Shiraishi 1994) reported that liquefaction of lignocellulosic biomass wastes, especially in presence of organic solvents e.g. phenols, alcohols, glycols and ketones using acid catalysts at temperatures of 120°C – 180°C or without catalysts at temperatures of 180°C - 250°C. Yao (1996), in his studies with birch wood, reported the initial stages rapid liquefaction due to dissolution of accessible components of lignin, hemicelluloses and cellulose, followed by the slow liquefaction Hemicellulose and lignin and the crystalline structure of some regions of cellulose make wood extremely resistant to liquefaction, even under severe reaction conditions. Pu and Shiraishi 1993, Pu and Shiraishi 1994) reported that liquefaction of lignocellulosic biomass wastes, especially in presence of organic solvents e.g. phenols, alcohols, glycols and ketones using acid catalysts at temperatures of 120°C – 180°C or without catalysts at temperatures of 180°C - 250°C. Yao (1996), in his studies with birch wood, reported the initial stages rapid liquefaction due to dissolution of accessible components of lignin, hemicelluloses and cellulose, followed by the slow liquefaction
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