Conversion of lignocellulosic biomass by a sequential combination of organic acid and base treatments

The potential of using a sequential combination of organic acid and base (oxalic acid and Tetramethylammonium hydroxide) to convert lignocellulosic biomass (wood) at mild conditions (150-215 °C, 1-2 hours, 1 atm N Keywords: Fast pyrolysis, hydrodeoxygenation, hydrotreating/hydrocracking catalyst and simulated distillation.) has been investigated. The liquid products were analyzed by GC-MS of toluene extracts and GC-FID of derivatized liquid samples, and solid residues by Py-GC-MS of solid residue. The wood conversion data from each step coupled with products analytical data indicate that combination of oxalic acid and TMAH enhances lignocellulosic biomass conversion by providing more accessibility of the structure to the next reagent. Oxalic acid serves as a proton donor to cleave glycosidic bond between polysaccharide monomers, while TMAH react more selectively to depolymerize lignin than to polysaccharides. The difference in selectivity toward different part of biomass potentially increases accessibility in biomass structure and leads to improved conversion.