On the selective desulphurization of biomass derivatives in supercritical water

The nature of organosulphur compounds formed during the reductive supercritical water treatment sewage sludge, miscanthus and Spirulina was investigated by gas chromatography coupled to a sulphur chemiluminescence detector (GC-SCD). Methanethiol found be dominating species after hydrothermal liquefaction gasification all process waters, along with its derivatives dimethyl disulphide trisulphide, likely upon quenching and/or sampling. Various alkylthiophenes, short-chain sulphides their corresponding disulphides were also in varying amounts strongly depending on biomass used. commercial absorbing materials pure oxide nanoparticles tested under conditions selectively desulphurize various mixtures. Cu-based most active desulphurizing organic mixture as well sulphur. ZnO, MoO 2 , MnO CeO have an intermediate activity decreasing concentration but had good absorption capacity. Surprisingly, only Zn Mn led formation crystalline sulphide phases. Iron showed desulphurization surprisingly no capabilities. All these suffered extents sintering/coarsening such harsh conditions, cerium showing very structural stability. results orientate further development catalysts for selective conditions. • Alkylthiophenes short sulphides/disulphides are main S-compounds HTL/HTG streams. Composition vary greatly feed. Cu(0) is efficient biomass. S Ceria remarkable