Liquefaction of wood and its model components

Pinewood and various model components were liquefied to bio-oil at 300–310 °C in 1-methylnaphthalene to study the chemistry of the liquefaction process. Cellulose, amylopectin and organosolv lignin were used as model components for the cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin parts of the wood. Furthermore, a few experiments with glucose and wood were performed for a better understanding of the process. The liquefaction products were analysed by ¹³C NMR, FTIR, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), GC–MS and C:H:O analysis (elemental analysis). The results indicated that the carbohydrates result in char, gas and light biocrude while the lignin leads mainly to light and heavy biocrude. However, the biocrude shows a very similar phenolic character is all cases, even when coming from carbohydrates. Similarities and differences with liquefaction in near/supercritical water or with pyrolysis are highlighted.