Production of Bioliquids from Cellulosic Biomass through Molten Salt Pyrolysis

The ability to utilize second-generation fuels could reduce society’s dependence on fossil fuels. Two current methods that convert lignocellulosic biomass to second-generation biofuels and chemicals include fast pyrolysis and the use of ionic liquids. The pyrolysis of biomass through molten salt media is a hybrid between fast pyrolysis and ionic liquids. Several experimental parameters were studied over the course of this research including: final reaction temperatures, chloride eutectic compositions, cellulose to eutectic molar ratios, and heating rates. All generated samples were analyzed using a gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer. The composition of the ideal molten salt eutectic, as well as the highest liquid yielding reaction parameters, was determined