Kinetic study on the liquefaction of bagasse in polyhydric alcohols based on the cell wall component of the liquefied residue

Natural lignocellulose differs from the synthetic polymer due to the mineral matter which has a great influence on its degradation. To better understand lignocelluloses liquefaction, the bagasse was liquefied in alcoholic solvent [polyethylene glycol (PEG 400)/glycerol] catalyzed by sulfuric acid at 140-180 degrees C under atmospheric pressure. The amount of major components (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash) in the liquefied residue was used as a measurement of the extent of liquefaction. The results showed that hemicellulose is the most reactive component to liquefaction among other major cell wall components, followed by the lignin and cellulose. The content of the ash increased slowly with the reaction time under all reaction temperatures due to the re-condensation or re-precipitation of liquefied components. Based on the experimental results, the reaction kinetics for bagasse liquefaction was modeled and the activation energies, frequency factors and reaction orders for cellulose and lignin were calculated in a conventional manner. The activation energies for the liquefaction of lignin, cellulose and bagasse were 30.51 kJ mol(-1), 72.83 kJ mol(-1), and 67.09 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The results of the enthalpy indicated the liquefaction of biomass is a highly endothermic reaction process. A better understanding to the liquefaction kinetics of biomass could be conducted based on the cell wall component of the liquefied residue.