title: Rapid and solvent-saving liquefaction of woody biomass using microwave-ultrasonic assisted technology.
abstract: A novel process to rapidly liquefy sawdust using reduced quantities of solvent, was successfully carried out via microwave-ultrasonic assisted technology (MUAT) in a sulphuric acid/polyethylene glycol 400-glycerol catalytic system. The influences of some key parameters on the liquefaction yield were investigated. The results showed that compared with traditional liquefaction, the introduction of MUAT allowed the solvent dosage to be halved and shortened the liquefaction time from 60 to 20 min. The liquefaction yield reached 91% under the optimal conditions. However, the influence on the yield of some parameters such as catalyst concentration, was similar to that of traditional liquefaction, indicating that the application of MUAT possibly only intensified heat and mass transfer rather than altering either the degradation mechanism or pathway. The introduction of MUAT as a process intensification technology has good industrial application potential for woody biomass liquefaction.
authors.affiliation: Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China; Center for Renewable Carbon, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA. Electronic address: luzexiang@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Zexiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.
authors.forename: Zhengguo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China; Center for Renewable Carbon, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
authors.forename: Liwei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.
authors.forename: Yiqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.
authors.forename: Deyong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Center for Renewable Carbon, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
authors.forename: Siqun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods; D002384:Catalysis; D005990:Glycerol / Q000737:chemistry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008872:Microwaves; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000379:methods*; D014934:Wood / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D007220:Industrial Waste; D012997:Solvents; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C000595213:polyethylene glycol 400; C033158:sulfuric acid; D005990:Glycerol
keywords: Biomass; Liquefaction; Microwave; Ultrasonic wave