Liquefaction of empty palm fruit bunch (EPFB) in alkaline hot compressed water

Javaid Akhtar, Soo Kim Kuang and NorAishah Saidina Amin

Renewable Energy, 2010, vol. 35, issue 6, 1220-1227

Abstract: Effect of alkalis (NaOH, KOH and K2CO3) on liquefaction of EPFB (empty palm fruit bunch) biomass liquefaction was investigated under subcritical water conditions in a batch reactor operating at 270°C and 20bars for a period of 20min. Catalytic performance and suitable biomass to water ratio that supported higher EPFB conversion, liquid hydrocarbons yield and lignin degradations were screened. Analytical results indicate that maximum of 68wt% liquids were produced along with 72.4wt% EPFB mass conversions and 65.6wt% lignin degradation under 1.0M K2CO3/2:10 (biomass/water) conditions. In comparison, the experiments that were performed in the absence of alkalis yielded only 30.4wt% liquids, converted 36wt% EPFB and degraded 24.3wt% lignin. Furthermore, biomass to water ratios >2:10 decreased both solid mass conversion and liquid hydrocarbons' yield. The reactivity of the alkalis was in the order of K2CO3>KOH>NaOH. The liquid compositions were dominantly phenols and esters; the highest value of phenol (60.1wt% of liquid yield) was achieved in the case of K2CO3 (1.0M) with 5g EPFB/25ml water ratio while 1.0M NaOH yielded maximum esters (86.4wt% of liquid yield). The alkali promoted process assisted with hot water treatments seemed promising for production of bio-oils from EPFB.

Keywords: Liquefaction; EPFB; Alkalis; Hot water treatments; Bio-oil (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (20)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:35:y:2010:i:6:p:1220-1227

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2009.10.003

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