Ligno-cellulosic feed is expected to contribute significantly to production of liquefied combustibles in the future, because of the quantity and the variety of feed material. Therefore the pyrolytic degradation properties of wood and its building blocks glucose and cellulose were investigated.
The process was carried out in a semi-batch reaction vessel under isothermal conditions at a temperature of T = 623 K and at ambient pressure. For optimum heat transfer the pyrolysis process was carried out in liquid carrier phase. Gaseous as well as condensable products were removed on top of the reaction vessel. Condensation temperature was T = 20 °C. After recording flux and composition the gaseous phase was incinerated in a flare. The condensed products were analyzed by GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy as well as elementary analysis.
The product yield was determined. Liquid CHO-products and water formed during pyrolytic degradation were evaluated for several feed materials. All biomasses generate nearly the same amount of liquid CHO-products, while the water quantity differs. Because of lignin content wood generates the least water fraction, whereas the mono-sugar glucose shows a high tendency of water formation.
The yield was examined for selected products generated by liquid-phase pyrolysis. Wood, with about 40% cellulose, shows different reaction paths than cellulose and glucose monomer. Degradation of cellulose is seemingly controlled by cleavage plus dehydration, while ligno-cellulosic feed leads to formation of methoxy-substituted phenols. Moreover wood degrades to acetic acid, whereas cellulose and glucose forms just traces of it.
Presenter
Webinar content is available with the kind permission of the author(s) solely for the purpose of furthering AIChE’s mission to educate, inform and improve the practice of professional chemical engineering. The content reflects the views, opinions, and recommendations of the presenters. AIChE does not warrant or represent, expressly or by implication, the correctness or accuracy of the content of the information presented. All other uses are forbidden without the express consent of the author(s). For permission to re-use, please contact chemepermissions@aiche.org. Attendee contact information, including email addresses, will be shared with AIChE, with the option to unsubscribe from future communications.
Explore More Areas of Advancement
AIChE Practice+ provides learners with opportunities to work on real-world challenges through industry internships and competitions.
With AIChE Career Discovery®, we'll help you to identify aptitudes and skills you’ll need in order to achieve your full potential at various career stages.
AIChE Credential validates your proficiency with potential employers in areas such as process intensification, safety, sustainability and others.