Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Sorghum Bagasse for Maximization of Bio-Crude using Homogeneous Catalyst (Na2CO3)

This work investigates the feasibility of hydrothermal liquefaction process for sysnthesis of biocrude to produce bio-oil from sorghum bagasse, in the presence of a homogenous catalyst and solvent. An extensive evaluation of potentially available sorghum bagasseis carried in the presence of a homogenous catalyst (sodium carbonate) and solvent to produce bio-oil. The optimal operating conditions in the ranges of temperature (220ºC-280ºC), reaction time (15-60min), biomass to water (1:10), biomass to catalyst (1:10%), biomass to glycerol (1:10) are choosen, for evaluating the process. The optimal conditions of temperature (260ºC) and residence time (60 minutes), biomass: water: glycerol ratio (1:5:5)have achieved a maximum yield of 52.16%. The bio crude oil when evaluated using various physio chemical chemical processes like elemental analysis indicted the presence of higher carbon, lower sulphur and nitrogen contents.The chemical composition of bio-oil when determined using CHNS , FTIR and GC-MS analysis and when qualitatively characterized and indicated the presence of phenols, ketones, carboxylic acids and esters.