Sub- and supercritical liquefaction of rice straw in the presence of ethanol–water and 2-propanol–water mixture

The critical liquefaction of rice straw to bio-oil with sub- and supercritical mixtures (ethanol–water and 2-propanol–water mixture) was studied in a 1000 ml autoclave at 533–623 K, 6–18 MPa, respectively. The results showed that the maximum yield of bio-oil was 39.7% for the 2-propanol:water volume ratio of 5:5 at 573 K, while the higher heating value (HHV) of bio-oil increased with the reaction temperature and solvent volume ratio. The formation of low-boiling-point materials was reduced by a mixture. Using a mixture could inhibit the formation of residue and then promote the conversion of rice straw with the ratio of 1:9–5:5. The bio-oil was analyzed by GC/MS and Elemental Analyzer, while the morphological changes of residue were observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM).