Reaction parameters effect on hydrothermal liquefaction of castor (Ricinus Communis) residue for energy and valuable hydrocarbons recovery

Castor plant (Ricinus communis) is a fast growing, perennial shrub also known as wonder tree from Euphorbiaceae family. India ranks globally first with production of 87% of the castor seed, while second and third largest producer countries, China and Brazil produced 5% and 1%, respectively. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is one of the most promising thermochemical conversion process used to convert wet/high moisture biomass to biofuels and value-added hydrocarbons. HTL of castor residue (stem and leaves) was performed at 260, 280, 300 degrees C and 15, 30, 60, 90 min. Investigations on the effect of temperature and residence time on distribution of products (bio-oil, bio-char) indicated the maximum Total Bio-oil (TBO) yield of c.a. 15.8 wt% was obtained at 300 degrees C at 60 min. The major compounds observed by GC-MS were phenols and their derivatives, aromatic hydrocarbons, N-containing compounds, acids. In addition, the recovery of carbon and corresponding energy recovery with respect to castor residue indicated that the carbon and energy recovery for bio-oil 1 were 24.23% and 31.08% respectively. An increase in the carbon and decrease of oxygen content in bio-oil (BO) demonstrates that the castor residue can be used as a potential feedstock for bioenergy applications. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.