The production of bio-crude oil (BCO) from oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) by hydro- and solvothermolysis
methods was investigated. The effects of the reaction temperature, reaction time, the solvent
and inorganic matter were studied using a batch reactor. The yield of BCO, the molecular weight of BCO,
and the yield of aromatic compounds contained in the BCO were measured. The molecular weight of BCO
decreased as the reaction temperature increased; however, the yield of BCO and aromatic compounds
decreased at a high temperature and with a long reaction time. The maximum yield of the total BCO was
obtained when the ratio of water and ethanol was 50:50, while the yield of most monomeric compounds
was highest when the ratio of water and ethanol was 25:75. The inorganic matter in the raw EFB increased
the yield of BCO and monomeric compounds compared to that with washed EFB.
© 2015 Elsevier B.V. A