LIQUEFACTION OF HYDROLYTIC EUCALYPTUS LIGNIN WITH FORMATE IN WATER, USING BATCH AND CONTINUOUS-FLOW REACTORS

Hydrolytic eucalyptus lignin, obtained from a commercial hydrolysis pl ant, was liquefied with formate in water under pressure. In a batch re actor the conversion at 270-degrees-C and 13 MPa was only 49.3% and th e oil yield 44.8%. Using a simple, low cost, continuous-flow reactor a t 300-degrees-C and 12 MPa, the conversion could be increased to 65.4% and the oil yield to 61.0%. The oil contained 25 to 30% oxygen and wa s mostly composed of substituted phenols. Of the oil, 42% was distilla ble and contained guaiacol and 2,6-di-methoxyphenol as principal produ cts. Other substituted phenols were identified in smaller amounts. A p ossible industrial utilization of the products is discussed.