Catalytic subcritical hydrothermal decomposition of artichokes for production of valuable chemicals

Nowadays, due to the depletion of energy resources, there is a need for Alternative Energy Sources. Among these sources, biomass has a particular importance in terms of both our country and world countries. In this project, producibility of valuable chemical species using artichokes pot and stalk which is rich in terms of inulin as a biomass under the subcritical conditions of water is shown. The subcritical thermal decomposition of artichoke experiments were carried out in autoclave system at 150°C, 170°C , 200°C, 250°C and 300°C without catalyst and in the presence of hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid ( HNO3) as a catalyst at pH 2 and 3. Different ratio of biomass and solvent ratio were selected as 5% 10 % and 20%. At the end of the experiments, on the decomposition of biomass under the subcritical conditions of water, the effect of parameters, such as temperature, retention time and pH were investigated. Products which obtained under subcritical conditions were analyzed via gas chromatography, HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) and TOC (Total Organic Carbon) devices. As a result of the experiments, the organic portion of the biomass converted into valuable chemicals such as carboxylic acids and furfural.