Liquefaction of biomass for bio-oil products

Abstract

Biomass is considered to be one of the most important renewable energy sources and will become an important part of future sustainable energy system. Liquefaction is a promising thermochemical conversion process that is applied to convert biomass into bio-oil (target product), biochar, and gases. The process is usually carried out in water or another suitable solvent at 250-400 °C under pressures of 5-25 MPa. This chapter firstly collects and sorts out the available review literatures on the liquefaction of biomass. Next, the effects of processing parameters on the liquefaction of biomass are briefly summarized. Then, the characterization and application studies of biochar (solid-phase product) are discussed. Finally, the main upgradation methods of bio-oil (liquid-phase product) are introduced. The ultimate aim of this chapter is to offer some reference for the study of biomass liquefaction.