Formation of aromatic and possible oligomeric materials from cellulose liquefaction

Conference · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6779188

Russell, J A; Nelson, D A; Molton, P M; Hansen, K R; Landsman, S D

The study of the formation of cellulose liquefaction oils may aid the development of a renewable liquid fuel from biomass. Aqueous, alkaline liquefaction of cellulose is a complex process which produces an oil containing high proportions of oxygenated and aromatic compounds. These product compounds result from the recombination of cellulose fragments; mechanisms implicated by earlier work included aldol and Michael reactions. The mechanism of formation of 2,5-dimethylhydroquinone and 2,5-dimethylbenzoquinone is discussed. Dimethylbenzoquinone is formed from the condensation of 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, and is involved in a reduction-oxidation reaction to form dimethylhydroquinone. Reactions occurring after the cellulose liquefaction oil has been formed include possible oligomerization by auto-oxidation or condensation. The cellulose oils show rapid viscosity increases not associated with water or solvent loss; differential scanning calorimetry is consistent with non-linear, branched oligomers formation. The reactions causing these changes are likely to be as complex as those occurring during the formation of cellulose oils.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6779188
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-11022; CONF-830114-3; ON: DE83005558
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
AROMATICS
BIOMASS
CARBOHYDRATES
CELLULOSE
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LIQUEFACTION
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHENOLS
POLYMERS
POLYSACCHARIDES
QUINONES
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SACCHARIDES
SYNTHESIS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VISCOSITY