Liquefaction of corn stover using industrial biodiesel glycerol

Abstract

Corn stover was liquefied using an industrial biodiesel glycerol as a liquefying agent at atmospheric pressure and low temperature. It was found that the liquefaction yield increased with increasing glycerol-to-corn stover ratios. Sulfuric acid, added as a catalyst, was found to improve liquefaction yield. The hydroxyl number, moisture content, acid number, pH value, viscosity, density, elemental composition, and higher heating value of the liquefied corn stover samples were determined. The liquefied corn stover showed a high hydroxyl number of 270～310 mg KOH/g. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results revealed the functional groups and confirmed the existence of the OH group in the liquefied corn stover, indicating that the liquefied corn stover is indeed a source of polyols and a potential chemical stock for the synthesis of polymers.
Keywords: liquefaction, corn stover, industrial biodiesel glycerol, biopolyol
DOI: 10.3965/j.issn.1934-6344.2009.02.032-040

Citation: Yuanhua Wang, Jianping Wu, Yiqin Wan, Hanwu Lei, Fei Yu, Paul Chen, Xiangyang Lin, Yuhuan Liu, Roger Ruan. Liquefaction of corn stover using industrial biodiesel glycerol. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2009; 2(2): 32－40.