Abstract:

Biomass can be converted into more valuable forms of energy by many thermal, biological and physical methods. While energy can be obtained by direct combustion of biomass, solid, liquid and gaseous fuels can be obtained from biomass by various thermochemical conversion methods (Hydrothermal liquefaction, pyrolysis and gasification). Hydrothermal liquefaction is one of the thermochemical processes used to convert biomass into liquid products with high energy content. Various catalysts (homogeneous and heterogeneous) can be used in the hydrothermal liquefaction process. It has been stated in the relevant literature that heterogeneous catalysts have various advantages such as recovery and obtaining liquid products with low oxygen content. In this study, the stem of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Liquorice) plant is liquefied for the first time in the presence of Al and Fe metal powders catalyst. In the trials, 300, 325 and 350 °C temperature and 30 minutes waiting time parameters are determined. GC–MS and elemental analysis methods are used for the characterization of the products. For light bio-oil and heavy bio-oil, the optimum temperature was 325°C and the highest energy value was 32.01 Mj/kg in the presence of Fe catalyst. Heterogeneous catalyst is found to be effective in the liquefaction of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. plant.

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