Response surface analysis of the water: feed ratio influences on hydrothermal recovery from biomass

Response surface methodology was employed to analyze the interaction between the water:feed ratio (2.0-9.0), reaction temperature (180-280°C) and retention time (0-60 min) on hydrothermal conversion of lawn grass clippings as a model biomass. Solid residues and the liquid pH decreased, while the water-soluble organic fraction increased with greater water:feed ratios. Greater water content resulted in a higher yield of reducing sugars, proteins, and amino acids. This was attributed to improved mass transport properties in the subcritically-heated water. Response surface analysis was used to describe the interaction of the water:feed ratio, temperature and retention time with regards to the yields of reducing sugars, proteins, and amino acids. The highest yields of both reducing sugars and amino acids were obtained with a water:feed ratio of 5.5 at 230°C reaction temperature and 30 min retention time; highest yield of protein was obtained with a water:feed ratio of 9.0 at 230°C and 0 min retention time. Moreover, fitted quadratic polynomial, fitted 2FI polynomial and quadratic polynomial were established via ANOVA to describe the effects of temperature, retention time and water:feed ratio on the yield of reducing sugars, proteins, and amino acids.