Shellsol as a Processing Liquid in Biomass Liquefaction

Abstract

Abstract Liquefaction of cellulosic feeds slurried in Shellsol solvents was investigated at 350-400°C under a reducing gas atmosphere using different types of nickel catalysts. The aromatic solvent, Shellsol AB, has been shown to be a very effective suspension medium for feedstocks. The use of this processing liquid is attractive in terms of cheapness and ease of product separation. The aliphatic counterpart Shellsol T is not suitable as a suspension medium. The biomass feeds produced high yields of oils low in oxygen, very low in nitrogen, and containing no sulfur. Keywords: autoclavebiomasscatalystcelluloseconversionliquefactionShellsolsuspension medium