Effect of solvent on hydro-solvothermal co liquefaction of sugarcane bagasse and polyethylene for bio-oil production in ethanol–water system

This study aims to investigate the role of water and ethanol in ethanol/water mixed solvent system, co-liquefaction of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB) to produce high quality bio-oil. It was revealed that various ethanol/water mixing ratios led to various reaction mechanisms, which indicates that there is a clear synergy effect between water and ethanol liquefaction process in three reaction media. The conversion and bio-oil yield approach were in the order of pure water < pure ethanol < water/ethanol mixed solvent regardless of the feedstock composition. Furthermore, detailed analysis of bio-oils was preformed such as CHNS/O analysis, chemical composition, 13C and 1H NMR analysis, higher heating value (HHV), TGA and FTIR analysis. The sugarcane bagasse-plastics derived bio-oil was found effective to enhance the qualitative properties of bio-oils compared from the pure sugarcane bagasse. The co-liquefaction of HDPE and SCB in mixed solvent was found more effective to enhance the qualitative and quantitative features of bio-oils compared to sole water and ethanol solvent.