Study on Liquefaction of Corncob in Polyhydric Alcohols

Abstract

The liquefaction of corncob in polyhydric alcohols was investigated by using sulfuric acid as a catalyst. Results showed that the best liquefaction could be obtained with residue percent of 4.5% under the conditions with the corncob/polyhydric alcohols mass ratio of 1/5, reaction temperature of 150°C, reaction time of 60 min, catalyst amount of 3% (based on the weight of corncob), PEG 400/glycerin mass ratio of 7/3 in the polyhydric alcohols, respectively. The liquefied liquid products had acid number of 18.9 mg KOH/g and hydroxyl number of 616.3mg KOH/g, respectively.