Bio-oil production from sugarcane bagasse by hydrothermal liquefaction

Sugarcane bagasse is a primary agro-industrial byproduct of the Brazilian sugar-energy sector, holding significant potential for conversion into biofuels and value-added chemicals. In this context, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) stands out as a promising technology for transforming lignocellulosic biomass into liquid compounds, utilizing subcritical water and CO₂ as the reaction medium. This study inv
estigated the conversion of sugarcane bagasse through a continuous HTL process, specifically evaluating the influence of temperature on biomass degradation. Initially, sequential water reactions were performed at 100, 160, 200, 250, and 300 °C to assess the progressive solubilization of biomass components. The resulting conversion rates were 14.9%, 24.1%, 56.3%, 81.9%, and 98.4%, respectively, demonstrating a direct correlation between temperature increase and biomass solubilization. Notably, hydrothermal treatments at 200 °C significantly altered the biomass profile, increasing cellulose content from 32% to nearly 68% while sharply reducing hemicellulose and modifying the lignin structure. In the continuous HTL process, the product obtained consisted of a single liquid phase derived from the total conversion of the lignocellulosic matrix. These results indicate that rising temperatures promote the systematic decomposition of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin into soluble compounds. Such findings underscore the efficiency of the hydrothermal process and highlight sugarcane bagasse as a robust feedstock for biomass valorization and the production of bio-based energy carriers.