LIQUEFACTION OF CELLULOSIC WASTE .5. WATER FORMATION AND EVALUATION OF PYROLYTIC CHAR AS A BY-PRODUCT OF PYROLYSIS REACTION

Liquid hydrocarbon oil and water have been produced from the liquefact ion of cellulosic matter present in municipal solid wastes (MSW). Gase s and residual char have also been produced as by-products resulting f rom the pyrolysis reaction of cellulose. Quantities of water and pyrol ytic char were estimated at different conditions of the process (tempe rature pressure of hydrogen, carrier oil medium and concentration of b oric acid). From the results obtained, it was suggested that the forma tion of water seems to be sensitive to the operational conditions whic h enhance a water-gas shift reaction (in which water molecules are con sumed to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen). Decreasing of the undes ired chary by-product could be achieved by increasing the concentratio n of boric acid that catalyzes the liquefaction reaction. Two petroleu m distillates, namely gas oil and residual fuel oil, were used as carr ier media of a solid refuse. It was found that fuel oil is more effici ent as a buffering medium that prevents cellulose macromolecules from a rapid and complete charing during the liquefaction process. The pyro lytic char was characterized and evaluated by means of different analy tical procedures and solvent extraction using petroleum ether 40-60 de grees C and methanol. Calorific value of the pyrolytic char was found to be 4.6 Kcal g(-1) which is quite close to that of a brown coal. Dro pping point test of the extracted material by petroleum ether indicate d that the extract can be utilized for producing lubricating greases v ia saponification with a salt of sodium or calcium.