Further aspects of powdered poplar wood liquefaction by aqueous pyrolysis

The liquefaction of powdered poplar wood by rapid pyrolysis in water at 350°C has been studied further. It differs significantly from the liquefaction of wood chips in that oil yields are improved by pressurisation of the reactor. Oil yields (chloroform soluble) are about 45 per cent and are sensitive to water/wood mass ratios and residence time. Gas, measured in a new handling system, is produced in 5–12 per cent mass yields and contains 86–90 per cent carbon dioxide and 10–13 per cent carbon monoxide. The oil and aqueous phases contain carboxylic acids (particularly acetic), phenols, cyclohexanones, cyclopentanones, benzyl alcohols and furfural.