Direct and alkali medium liquefaction of Laurocerasus officinalis Roem

Ground Laurocerasus officinalis R. wood was liquefied in an autoclave with or without alkali additives such as NaOH and Na2CO3 at temperatures 523 ± 5 and 623 ± 5 K. The liquid products were extracted by a liquid–liquid extraction procedure using benzene, diethyl ether and 1-butanol as solvents. Maximum oil yields were obtained as 68.9% and 43.1% by using NaOH and Na2CO3, respectively at 3/5 alkali additive/sample ratios and at 623 ± 5 K. The proximate analysis data and the higher heating value (HHV) of the sample were also determined. The HHV of the sample as MJ/kg was calculated by the following equation:HHV=33.5(C%)+142.3(H%)-15.4(O%)-14.5(N%)HHV=33.5(C%)+142.3(H%)-15.4(O%)-14.5(N%)The calorific value of the sample calculated by the above equation showed a mean difference of −4.47%. This result was in good agreement with the experimental result and the literature.