Deoxy-liquefaction products obtained from Crofton weed at different temperatures

Crofton weed is an invasive alien plant which is causing significant economic and environmental losses in China. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the applicability of deoxy-liquefaction reaction to the utilization of Crofton weed. Deoxy-liquefaction experiments of two different sections (leaves and stems) and the whole plant of Crofton weed were performed at six different temperatures (375-500 degrees C). Oils with low oxygen contents (< 8 wt%) and high HHVs (> 40 MJ/kg) were obtained. 425 degrees C was the optimum temperature for obtaining oil from Crofton weed. Besides, solid chars with high HHVs of about 20 MJ/kg were obtained. Gases with HHVs ranging from 1.6 to 5.7 MJ/mol were produced. The overall energy recovery of the system was estimated at about 70%. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.