Energy Sources, Vol.19, No.7, 665-676, 1997
Shellsol as a processing liquid in biomass liquefaction
Liquefaction of cellulosic feeds slurried in Shellsol solvents was investigated at 350-400 degrees C under a reducing gas atmosphere using different types of nickel catalysts. The aromatic solvent, Shellsol AB, has been shown to be a very effective suspension medium for feedstocks. The use of this processing liquid is attractive in terms of cheapness and ease of product separation. The aliphatic counterpart Shellsol T is not suitable as a suspension medium. The biomass feeds produced high yields of oils low in oxygen, very low in nitrogen, and containing no sulfur.