Analyzing Ionic Liquids as a Catalyst for Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Biomass Feedstocks
Open Access
Author:
Ricketts, Branden
Area of Honors:
Chemical Engineering
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Phillip E Savage, Thesis Supervisor Themis Matsoukas, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Biofuel Hydrothermal liquefaction ionic liquid sustainability liquid fuel cellulose lignin soy protein energy
Abstract:
More than 80 percent of the waste that ends up in landfills every year consists of organic biomass. With the current energy crisis pressing the world on a global scale, it would be advantageous to convert some of this landfill waste into value-added biofuels. In this study, the process of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) was employed to convert biomass feedstocks into a liquid biocrude fuel. The effectiveness of two different ionic liquid catalysts—ChCl:KOH and 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate—were tested on three different biochemical constituents. The effectiveness of feedstocks and ionic liquid catalysis was evaluated by calculating biocrude yield. The biocrude product was then analyzed through GCMS to evaluate ionic liquid’s effect on the molecular composition. Carbohydrates saw the largest increase in yield due to the ionic liquid catalyst so various types were tested to identify the best feedstock to use. The use of ionic liquids on the HTL of cellulose at 300oC for 45 minutes resulted in a 217% increase in bio-oil yield. Simultaneously, catalyzing cellulose with ionic liquid resulted in a biocrude product higher in desirable molecules like long chain fatty acids. Both of these factors indicate ionic liquid’s potential as a catalyst for industrial application.
