Liquefaction of Biomass Using Glycerol

Abstract

In this study, sawdust samples from poplar wood were liquefied by using glycerol and alkaline glycerol in the presence of 5% Na₂CO₃ and 5% NaOH at different temperatures: 440, 460, 480, 500, 520, 540, and 560 K. Byproducts from the liquefaction processes of the samples mainly included lignin and carbohydrate degradation products. The degradation of lignin (delignification) occurs at lower temperatures than carbohydrates. The degradation products have fuel values. The yield of total liquefaction increases with increasing reaction temperature.

Keywords:

• alcoholysis
• biomass
• glycerol
• liquefaction