Thermochemical liquefaction based on Camellia nut shell and production of vegetal polyalcohol

The liquefaction technology of Camellia nut shell was studied with polyhydric alcohol as the liquefacient and sulfuric acid as catalyzer. Liquefaction technology optimization of Camellia nut shell in polyhydric alcohol was determined with the mothod of factor analysis. The optimum liquefaction conditions included: PEG400-Glycerin ratio 80∶20, sulfuric acid concentration 3%, reaction temperature 130–170°C and reaction time 120 min. Under this condition, the liquefaction rate would reach 98.12%. Hydroxyl number of liquefied product was 180–300 mgKOH/g and the viscosity was 1000–4500mPa•s. The analysis of liquefaction product with FTIR spectroscopy, GC-MS and GPC showed that the camellia nut shell has degraded and polycondensated with polyalcoholto varying degrees. The majority of the celluloses were degraded, the hemicellulose and xylogen are completely degraded, producing a large amount of alcohol ester compounds with a little ethers. We concluded that the liquefaction products of camellia nut shell were polyether ester polyalcohol.