Analysis of organic gas phase compounds formed by hydrothermal liquefaction of Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2015-09, Vol.192, p.826-830
• Main Authors: Madsen, René B., Christensen, Per S., Houlberg, Kasper, Lappa, Elpiniki, Mørup, Anders J., Klemmer, Maika, Olsen, Eva M., Jensen, Mads M., Becker, Jacob, Iversen, Bo B., Glasius, Marianne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 24 h HTL run; Desiccation; Gases - analysis; Gases - chemical synthesis; Heating - methods; High-value components; Organic Chemicals - analysis; Organic Chemicals - chemical synthesis; Phase Transition; Solubility; Solutions - chemical synthesis; Time-resolved gas phase analysis; Trace gas identification; Water - chemistry; Whole Grains - chemistry
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.05.095

•Identification of 54 organic compound trace gases from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL).•HTL of Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles forms high value chemicals such as butenes.•At steady state, olefins are the most abundant group of gas-phase organic compounds.•Sulfur-containing compounds with low odor thresholds were also found. This work provides a comprehensive characterization of the gas phase from hydrothermal liquefaction of Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) collected during a 24-h continuous experiment. The gas consisted mainly of CO2, CO, H2, CH4 and C2H6 accounting for 96 v/v% while further analysis by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) showed additionally 62 compounds of which 54 were tentatively identified. These products included methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, various olefins and several aromatic compounds. The composition provided clear indication of the steady state of the system. Apart from CO2, olefins were the most abundant compound class and could provide a source of revenue.