(328f) Surfactant Assisted Hydrothermal Liquefaction for Oil and Hydrochar

This study reports surfactant assisted hydrothermal liquefaction of corn stover. During hydrothermal processing, a surfactant may act as a barrier and create conditions to yield pseudo lignin that can translate into higher oil production. The role of surfactant is not yet well understood. This investigation is aimed at developing fundamental understanding of different surfactants during HTL. Catalytic HTL (CHTL) of corn stover is performed at 225 °C to 300 °C and 800- 1300 psi (system autogenous pressure) in the presence of anionic, cationic, and non-ionic surfactants. Effects of different reaction parameters such as temperature, initial nitrogen pressure, biomass to water ratio, surfactant concentration, and catalyst loading on product distribution are evaluated. Presence of a surfactant can change the wettability, reduce the hydrophilicity, and increase interfacial surface area, thus influence hydrochar characteristics as well as distribution of liquified products, such as C₁-C₃ carboxylic acids. The aqueous biocrude is characterized by TOC analyzer and gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to understand extent of liquefied carbon and oxygenated hydrocarbons, respectively. Both hydrochar and HBO are analyzed by the elemental analyzer, and HHVs are calculated based on C, H, N and O values. Hydrochar is characterized by BET surface area analyzer and FTIR. Results obtained with the surfactant assisted CHTL of corn stover, mass and energy balance will be presented.

This study reports surfactant assisted hydrothermal liquefaction of corn stover. During hydrothermal processing, a surfactant may act as a barrier and create conditions to yield pseudo lignin that can translate into higher oil production. The role of surfactant is not yet well understood. This investigation is aimed at developing fundamental understanding of different surfactants during HTL. Catalytic HTL (CHTL) of corn stover is performed at 225

°C to 300 °C and 800- 1300 psi (system autogenous pressure) in the presence of anionic, cationic, and non-ionic surfactants. Effects of different reaction parameters such as temperature, initial nitrogen pressure, biomass to water ratio, surfactant concentration, and catalyst loading on product distribution are evaluated. Presence of a surfactant can change the wettability, reduce the hydrophilicity, and increase interfacial surface area, thus influence hydrochar characteristics as well as distribution of liquified products, such as C₁-C₃ carboxylic acids. The aqueous biocrude is characterized by TOC analyzer and gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to understand extent of liquefied carbon and oxygenated hydrocarbons, respectively. Both hydrochar and HBO are analyzed by the elemental analyzer, and HHVs are calculated based on C, H, N and O values.

Hydrochar is characterized by BET surface area analyzer and FTIR. Results obtained with the surfactant assisted CHTL of corn stover, mass and energy balance will be presented.