Direct cost-efficient hydrothermal conversion of Amazonian lignocellulosic biomass residue

Abstract

The transformation of non-edible lignocellulosic biomass into high added-value chemicals and biofuels associated with lower energy process requirements is a promising strategy for meeting the actual demands of clean energy. Here, we report the study of the non-catalytic conversion of biomass wastes issued from two Amazonian abundant fruits (cupuaçu shell and assai stone) into liquid valuable chemicals. The parent biomass samples were first comprehensively characterized using TG, XRD, and FTIR; then, they were pretreated by ball milling and by chemical processing in ionic liquid, and finally, they were hydrothermally treated to be converted into chemical products benefiting from their hemicellulose and cellulose contents. The results revealed the importance of the pretreatments in the conversion rate, while the selectivity into main chemical products (such glucose, HFM, furfural, xylose) is not affected by the pretreatments neither physical nor chemical ones. The conversion of both biomasses and their products’ distribution were comprehensively discussed, with the highest conversion obtained using assai stone biomass (90%). This study could pave the way for investigating the non-catalytic route of biomass conversion, as a lesser energy process, resulting in a cost-effective conversion process.