Electron-beam decomposition of phytogenous substances: Solid-to-liquid conversion

Chain destruction and distillation of various lignocellulose materials were initiated by 8 MeV electron beam at a dose rate of ∼2 kGy/s. Electron-beam distillation transforms plant materials to organic liquid several times more productively than conventional dry distillation (pyrolitic). For example, the yield of an organic condensate from cellulose, wood and straw was ⩾50 wt%. Products of electron-beam distillation differed by composition from products of conventional dry distillation. For example, the tar forming by lignin radiolysis contains very few alkylbenzenes and alkylphenols. High efficiency of electron-beam distillation can be a key to development of wasteless methods for plant materials transformation into the useful products, such as polymerization retarders, monomers or the alternative fuel.