Mechanisms of Thermal Degradation of Wood in Alkaline Glycerol

Thermal degradation of wood biomass, cellulose, hemicelluloses, and products were formed as well as a solid residue of char in low temperatures. In the liquefaction process, the micellar-like broken down fragments produced by hydrolysis are degraded to smaller compounds by dehydration, dehydrogenation, deoxygenation, and decarboxylation. These compounds once produced, rearrange through condensation, cyclization, and polymerization, leading to new compounds. Alkalis such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate, can lead to the formation of hydrolysis of macromolecules, such as cellulose and hemicellulose, into smaller fragments. In the liquefaction process, the amount of solid residue increased in proportion to the lignin content. An important parameter for degradation of wood by organic solvents is the ability of the solvent to swell the wood structure. Glycerol is initially contacted with wood and swelling is seen to take place.