Process for liquefying a cellulosic material and its products
A process for liquefying a cellulosic material to produce a liquefied product from cellulosic material is provided. Products obtained from such process and use of such products to prepare biofuels is also provided.
1. A product comprising:
(a) from 20 to 80 wt % of a monomeric fraction containing one or more monomeric compounds having a molecular weight (Mw) of less than or equal to 250 Dalton (Da);
(b) from 20 to 80 wt % of an oligomeric fraction containing one or more oligomeric compounds having a molecular weight (Mw) of more than 250 Dalton (Da);
(c) from 0 wt % to 25 wt % of tar;
wherein the percentage of saturated carbon atoms in the oligomeric fraction is more than or equal to 35%, based on the total amount of carbon atoms present;
wherein the one or more oligomeric compounds are liquid at ambient temperature (20° C.) and pressure (1 bar absolute);
wherein the percentage of saturated carbon atoms in the oligomeric compound fraction that is liquid at ambient temperature (20° C.) and pressure (1 bar absolute) is more than or equal to 50%, based on the total amount of carbon atoms; and
wherein the weight ratio of the monomeric compound(s) to the oligomeric compound(s) lies in the range from 4:1 to 1:4.
2. The product of claim 1 , wherein the one or more monomeric compounds is selected from a group consisting of substituted tetrahydrofurane, substituted tetrahydropyran, substituted guaiacol, substituted syringol, and any combination thereof in an amount of more than or equal to 20 wt %, based on the total weight of monomeric compounds.
3. The product of claim 1 , wherein the tar has a molecular weight (Mw) from more than 2000 Dalton (Da) up to and including 30000 Dalton (Da).
4. The product of claim 1 comprising from 25 wt % to 75 wt % of one or more monomeric compounds having a molecular weight (Mw) of less than or equal to 250 Dalton (Da).
5. The product of claim 1 comprising from 25 wt % to 75 wt % of one or more oligomeric compounds having a molecular weight (Mw) of more than or equal to 250 Dalton (Da).
6. The product of claim 1 wherein more than or equal to 40wt % of the oligomeric compounds is liquid at ambient temperature (20° C.) and pressure (1 bar absolute), based on the total weight of oligomeric compounds.
7. The product of claim 1 wherein the percentage of saturated carbon atoms in the oligomeric fraction is more than or equal to 60%, based on the total amount of carbon atoms present.
8. The product of claim 1 wherein the percentage of saturated carbon atoms in the oligomeric fraction is more than or equal to 70%, based on the total amount of carbon atoms present.