Effect of Selected Catalyst on the Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Corn Stover

Author : Satiada, Godfrey Bryan delas Alas
Major Adviser : Carpio, Rowena B.
Major Co-Adviser : Guerrero, Gino Apollo M.
Committee Members : Bambase Jr., Manolito E.; Detras, Monet Concepcion M.
Year : 2020
Month : July
Type : Thesis
Degree: BS
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Abstract

Hydrothermal liquefaction of corn stover was performed at 320°C for 90 mins in the presence of alkali catalysts (KOH, NaOH, K2CO3, and Na2CO3) at varying concentrations (5 and 7.5% w/w) to compare their effect on the product distribution and quality of the biocrude oil yield, using a 2 x 4 factorial design of the experiment. The ANOVA results showed that only the effect of catalyst type is significant on both biocrude oil and solid residue yield. The highest oil yield (22.57%) and the lowest solid residue yield (6.01%) were obtained using 7.5% w/w concentration of KOH and NaOH, respectively. Based on the bio-oil yield and the biomass conversion, alkali hydroxides precede the alkali carbonates in terms of alkali activity. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) results for biocrude oil showed the presence of oxygenates, nitrogenates, silane, and siloxane compounds. The presence of these compounds poses a disadvantage for biofuel applications since oxygenated compounds reduce the quality of the oil while the combustion of nitrogenates results in unfavorable gases. However, the high amounts of silicon-containing compounds can be utilized in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The higher heating value (HHV) of biocrude oil samples obtained was 23.79 MJ/kg, 23.08 MJ/kg, and 18.98 MJ/kg using K2CO3, Na2CO3, and NaOH, respectively. The corresponding energy recovery was 10.54%, 9.22 %, and 12.62%, respectively.


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