The hydroliquefaction of tropical woods and other tropical biomasses

Abstract

The C.T.F.T. has carried out a study of the hydroliquefaction of tropical raw materials. In an initial stage, the optimal conditions of reaction in an aqueous medium and in the presence of hydrogen were determined for a Congolese Eucalypt.
The treatment adopted was then applied to cellulose, lignins, and various tropical woods and raw materials.
These trials showed that cellulose and woods rich in cellulose liquefied more easily than lignin and highly lignified woods.
Conversely, tar yields are higher for compounds rich in lignin. The substances obtained have a high calorific value (more than 7,000 kcal/kg) in most cases. But they are related more to pitch than to oil. Subsequent cracking treatment or separation of the different constituents will be necessary if they are to be used as fuel.
Other trials were also carried out: pretreatment of woods and use of organic solvents. Their results have indicated the lines along which future work should be directed.