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Review of Biomass Conversion in High Pressure High Temperature Water (HHW) Including Recent Experimental Results (Isomerization and Carbonization)

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Application of Hydrothermal Reactions to Biomass Conversion

Part of the book series: Green Chemistry and Sustainable Technology ((GCST))

Abstract

In this chapter, we briefly explain unique properties of high pressure high temperature water (HHW). In high pressure media, concentration of reactant can be controlled by changing temperature and pressure, and the reaction rate (also product distribution) can be controlled. In addition, in the presence of solvent (water is concerned here), the properties of the solvent can also be adjusted by pressure and temperature, and the control of solvent properties can help to improve the reaction rate and selectivity. Some of important reactions occurring in the high pressure high temperature water (HHW) media are summarized and the relationship between the reactions and the products is roughly categorized into gasification, liquefaction, and carbonization. Briefly, over 400 °C, radical reaction is dominant and thus gasification (small fragment formation) occurs. Between 200 and 400 °C, both ionic and radial reactions competitively occur and biomass conversion can be controlled widely by changing temperature and pressures. Therefore, production of chemical block for industries is performed in the temperature range. Below 200 °C, namely low temperature and high density of water (liquid phase of water), hydrolysis and dehydration are favored because ionic reactions are predominant. Through dehydration between molecules (high concentration condition is preferred), carbonization is also developed. Concerning each product category, our research topics are briefly overviewed. Finally, our recent experimental results for isomerization of glucose and carbonization of biomass are roughly introduced.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center of Supercritical Fluid Technology, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan

    Masaru Watanabe & Richard Lee Smith

  2. Department of Environmental Study, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan

    Masaru Watanabe, Taku M. Aida & Richard Lee Smith

Authors
  1. Masaru Watanabe
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  2. Taku M. Aida
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  3. Richard Lee Smith
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Correspondence to Masaru Watanabe .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

    Fangming Jin

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Watanabe, M., Aida, T.M., Smith, R.L. (2014). Review of Biomass Conversion in High Pressure High Temperature Water (HHW) Including Recent Experimental Results (Isomerization and Carbonization). In: Jin, F. (eds) Application of Hydrothermal Reactions to Biomass Conversion. Green Chemistry and Sustainable Technology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54458-3_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54458-3_11

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