Analysis of Physicochemical Properties of Bio-Oil from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Blackcurrant Pomace

Suzanne Anouti (1) , Geert Haarlemmer (2) , Maxime Déniel (3, 2) , Anne Roubaud (2)

1 IBMM - Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron [Pôle Chimie Balard]
2 DTCH - Département Thermique Conversion et Hydrogène
3 RAPSODEE - Centre de recherche d'Albi en génie des procédés des solides divisés, de l'énergie et de l'environnement

Bio-oils obtained from hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass are black viscous fuels with good heating values. This paper presents results of physical and chemical characterization of bio-oils produced by hydrothermal liquefaction of blackcurrant pomace. The oils are analyzed with standard normalized tests and compared to specifications required by commercialized biofuels and conventional fuels. Iodine value and total acid number are determined, showing relatively high values. GC/MS analysis demonstrates that bio-oil recovery by solvent extraction followed by subsequent evaporation of the solvent leads to the loss of some volatile compounds in the bio-oil. Thermogravimetric analysis are performed to study the volatility of HTL bio-oils, as well as to evaluate the carbon residue after evaporation. The viscosity of a bio-oil recovered by ethyl-acetate extraction was measured with a rotational viscometer at 25 degrees C, leading to a viscosity of 1.7 Pa.s. The results show furthermore that adding sodium hydroxide to the reaction medium has a limited influence on the properties of bio-oils. The choice of extraction solvent has conversely a significant influence on the quality of the produced oil. We demonstrate in this paper how standardized tests can be applied to hydrothermal bio-oils, to compare them with commercial fuels and evaluate the need for upgrading.

Domaines: Chimie analytique

Suzanne Anouti, Geert Haarlemmer, Maxime Déniel, Anne Roubaud. Analysis of Physicochemical Properties of Bio-Oil from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Blackcurrant Pomace. Energy & Fuels, 2016, 30 (1), pp.398-406. ⟨10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5b02264⟩. ⟨hal-01609116⟩