skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Upgrading of sugar cane bagasse by thermal processes. 10: Catalytic liquefaction in aqueous medium

Journal Article · · Energy Sources
OSTI ID:350291
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos, Sao Paulo (Brazil). Inst. of Chemistry
  2. Univ. of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo (Brazil)

This work presents the results of a study of a process of direct catalytic liquefaction of sugar cane bagasse, in aqueous medium, using different pH values. The experiments were conducted in the absence as well as in the presence of commercial catalysts. In the absence of catalyst, the results showed that the conversion of sugar cane bagasse into liquefied products is not influenced by the pH of the reaction mixture. An increase in the temperature augments the yield of liquefied products. The utilization of different commercial catalysts permits an increase in the yields of liquefied products up to 92.4%, obtained with 10% palladium on activated carbon powder as catalyst. The liquefied products were fractionated into eight different chemical classes by preparative liquid chromatography (PLC-8 method). In the absence of catalyst, high conversion yields into light-oils and resins (fractions F1 to F6) was observed only at pH = 9. When the catalysts were used (at pH = 9 and at 370 C), an important increase (from 29 to 78%) of resins (fraction F6) was observed. Under this condition, the proportion of asphaltenes and asphaltols (fractions F7 and F8) decreases from 70 to 20%.

OSTI ID:
350291
Journal Information:
Energy Sources, Vol. 21, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: May 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English