Non-catalytic hydrosolvolysis of Delonix regia biomass waste and analysis of products

The waste from Delonix regia plant was used as potential feedstock and its non-catalytic hydrosolvolysis using methanol solvent was carried out in a batch-type autoclave reactor under a hydrogen environment at moderate pressure and temperature conditions (180 °C, 200 °C and 250 °C). The key findings revealed that 200 °C is the optimal temperature, producing biocrude with a yield of 40.60 wt% and a higher heating value (HHV) of 25.3 MJ/kg. The present results are compared and found to be better than some of existing literature counterparts on non-catalytic hydrosolvolysis of other biomass feedstock. The biocrude comprised of phenolic compounds, esters, furan derivatives, methoxy compounds and alcohols. Biochar exhibited enhanced carbon content and reduced oxygen compared to raw biomass. Notably, the hydro-treatment process at these mild conditions outperformed non-catalytic and hydro-catalytic pyrolysis at a greater temperature of 600 °C in terms of fuel and physical properties of the liquid product. Thus, the present findings highlight the effectiveness of this process in enhancing the biocrude quality under mild conditions of temperature and hydrogen pressure.