Effects of water in water/phenol mixtures on liquefaction of Japanese beech as treated under subcritical conditions

Abstract

Abstract Japanese beech ( Fagus crenata ) has been liquefied by water-added subcritical phenol without a catalyst in a batch-type reaction vessel. The effect of water/phenol ratio was studied under conditions of various treatment times. The fractions soluble in phenol/water as well as the insoluble residues were characterized. Liquefaction kinetics was investigated assuming the validity of the first-order reaction rate law. The degree of phenolation was increased with increasing treatment times and water content in phenol/water solvent. Treatment at 270°C under 3.1 MPa pressure for 10 min with a water/phenol ratio of 25:75 gave the best liquefaction result. Various oligosaccharides derived from cellulose and hemicelluloses were found to be hydrolyzed and solubilized in the water-soluble portion.