Effect of Liquefying Agents Mixed with Lower Alcohols and Catalyst on the Microwave Driven Liquefaction of Wood

Abstract

Southern pine (Pinus sp.) is liquefied by microwave heating and PEG/lower alcohols mixtures in the presence of various acid catalysts at 150 °C. The reaction time is of 15 min, and the liquefaction solvent to wood ratio is of 2:1. The mixing of lower alcohols such as ethanol with PEG had a strong effect on the liquefaction process, especially for the liquefaction ratio. The catalyst, phosphoric acid, could improve the liquefaction yield and the value of hydroxyl in the biomass liquefaction process. Consequently, the use of PEG/ethanol mixtures and a catalyst of phosphoric acid was benefit to improve liquefaction efficiency and utilization of liquefied products.