Depolymerization of stalk cellulose during its liquefaction in sub- and supercritical ethanol

Direct liquefaction of cornstalk cellulose in sub-/super-critical ethanol was investigated with a batch reactor at 200～330 ℃ and an initial usage of ethanol varying from 0 to 150 mL. The results show that the reaction temperature, ethanol quantity and retention time significantly influence the direct liquefaction of cornstalk cellulose. The yields of heavy oil and gases increase by 12.55% and 28.83% respectively, depending on reaction temperature from 200 to 330 ℃. The reaction pressure increases with the increment of ethanol, and the yield of residues and gases reduces by 11.10% and 8.44% in supercritical ethanol compared with that from thermal cracking without ethanol. The FT-IR analyses for residues and GC/MS measurements for the oils reveal that cornstalk cellulose was liquefied through deploymerization in supercritical ethanol, and the main components of oils are ketone and ethyl ester and their derivatives.