Advances in Biofuels and Renewable Feedstocks Technologies in Eastern Kentucky: Study 3: (Montavon) Biofuel Synthesis Through Thermolysis of Biomass

Though the worldwide petroleum reserve continues to decline, liquid fuel continues to be the dominate source of energy for transportation in the foreseeable future. The synthesis of liquid fuel from biomass and coal will become more and more significant due to the lack of petroleum sources, especially in Kentucky. In this research, we conducted the solvent thermolysis of lignin at 300, 350, and 400oC under one atmosphere in the absence of air. The reactions were conducted for 30 minutes. Two types of lignin were used: one is the lignin made from wood (Kraft pine lignin provided by MeadWestvaco); the other is the lignin made from switch grass (provided by General Atomic). The solvents tested are: acetone, nbutanol, water, water/phenol, and water/NaOH. Under these conditions, about 30-60% of lignin was converted to pyridine-soluble products. This product can be used as raw materials to produce liquid fuel or fuel additives. We also found that water is as successful of a solvent as other organic solvents during the conversion of lignin to these soluble products. The fact that water can be used as the thermolysis solvent suggests that during thermolysis of lignin (or biomass) the dryness of the lignin is not critical