Biofuel production by liquefaction of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) biomass

In this study, kenaf biomass, its dried hydrolysate residue (solid residue left after removing water from hydrolysate) and non-hydrolyzed kenaf residue (solid residue left after hydrolysis process) were liquefied at various temperatures. Hydrolysis of biomass was performed in subcritical water condition. The oil + gas yield of biomass materials increased as the temperature increased from 250 to 300 degrees C. Increasing temperature to 350 degrees C resulted in decreases in oil + gas contents for all biomass feeds studied. On the other hand, preasphaltene + asphaltene (PA + A) and char yields significantly decreased with increasing the process temperature. The use of carbon or activated carbon supported Ru catalyst in the process significantly decreased char and PA + A formations. Oils produced from liquefaction of kenaf, dried kenaf hydrolysate and non-hydrolyzed kenaf residue consist of fuel related components such as aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene and benzene derivative compounds, indane and trans/cis-decalin. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.