BAILs mediated Catalytic Thermo Liquefaction (CTL) process to convert municipal solid waste into carbon densified...

Continual increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) posing global environmental challenge which directed focus towards the waste to energy to achieve dual goal of waste minimization and energy generation. The present manuscript introducing Bronsted acid ionic liquids (BAILs) mediated Catalytic Thermo Liquefaction (CTL) process for conversion of MSW into carbon densified liquid (CTL-Oil) which can be used for multiple energy and fuel applications. BAILs with different counter ions were synthesized and tested for CTL of wet organic biodegradable MSW. The exploration of BAILs provides significant benefits in terms of operating conditions (120 °C, 90 min) with zero char and gases. Of the synthesized catalysts [Benz-SO₃HIm]⁺[H₂PO₄]^-,[Benz-SO₃Him]⁺[HSO₄]^-_,[Benz-SO₃HIm]⁺[TsO]^-and [BenzSO₃HIm]⁺[TfO]^-, BAIL with [HSO₄]^-counter ion showed a profound effect on CTL. The intensified CTL process resulted in > 85% MSW conversion with > 80% yield of CTL-Oil without any char and gas formation. Use of BAILs assisted the ease of dissolution and hydrolysis of biomass to produce CTL-Oil via hydrolysis, condensation, cyclization and dehydration reactions. The plausible mechanism for CTL has been proposed. The physicochemical analysis of CTL-Oil was conducted by using elemental analysis, Bomb calorimeter, GC-MS and ATR-FTIR. It was found that the CTL-Oil was rich source of C (48-55%), H (6-8%), O (30-41%) containing compounds such as long-chain hydrocarbons, carboxylic acids, heterocyclic compounds, aldehydes, ketones and esters, etc. Furthermore, the calorific value of CTL-Oil was found to be 20-23 MJ/kg, thus it can be explored for multiple energy and fuel applications. However, the CTL process also adds several environmental and process economic benefits over the conventional waste liquefaction/disposal processes.