Journal Article

Boosting the Higher Heating Value of Eucalyptus globulus via Thermochemical Liquefaction

Galhano dos Santos, Rui, Silva, Luciana, Paulo, Ivo, Bordado, João, Vieira, Salomé, Fernandes, Frederico, Gaspar, Daniela, C. R. Pinto, Paula, Matos, Sandro

2021

Overview

Biomass can be envisaged as a potential solution to mitigate the problems that the extensive exploitation of fossil sources causes on the environment. Transforming biomass into added-value products with better calorific properties is highly desired. Thermochemical liquefaction can convert biomass into a bio-oil. The work herein presented concerns the study of direct liquefaction of Eucalyptus globulus sawdust. The main goal was to optimise the operating conditions of the process to achieve high bio-oil conversion rates. Studies were carried out to understand the impact of the process factors, such as the residence time, catalyst concentration, temperature, and the biomass-to-solvent ratio. The E. globulus sawdust conversion into bio-oil was achieved with a maximum conversion of 96.2%. A higher conversion was reached when the eucalyptus sawdust’s thermochemical liquefaction was conducted over 180 min in the presence of a >2.44% catalyst concentration at 160 °C. A lower biomass-to-solvent ratio favours the process leading to a higher conversion of biomass into bio-oil. The afforded bio-oil presented a better higher heating value than that of E. globulus sawdust.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Alternative energy sources / Biomass / Cellulose / Conversion / Fourier transforms / Glycerol / Lignin / Lignocellulose / Nitrogen / Solvents / Sulfur content / Sustainability / Thermogravimetric analysis