Rebecca K. Toghiani, Chemical Engineering, Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, 330 Swalm, Mississippi State, MS 39762, Ananda Sekar, Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, 330 Swalm, Mississippi State, MS 39762, and Phil Steele, Forest Products Department, Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, 330 Swalm, Mississippi State, MS 39762.
Fast pyrolysis of biomass generates a product bio-oil containing a complex assortment of chemicals. Long-term stability of the bio-oil product is degraded by the presence of compounds that continue to undergo reaction during storage. An investigation of post-pyrolysis treatment of the bio-oil using supercritical water was conducted. Supercritical water has been reported in the literature as a means to decompose biomass. The effect of supercritical water (SCW) on the chemical product distribution in bio-oil was examined through a series of experiments. Critical process parameters were reaction time, temperature, pressure, as well as the bio-oil/water ratio. A base-line analysis of the bio-oil was performed. Comparison of pre- and post-treatment analysis will reveal those compounds which are significantly affected by treatment.