Liquefaction of sugar cane bagasse with formate and water

Sugar cane bagasse is available in large quantities in Brazil. Its liquefaction with $\text{formate}\text{inert}$ gas and $\text{base}\text{CO}$ in water is studied. The $\text{formate}\text{inert}$ gas system is the most effective under certain conditions, resulting in higher conversion and better yields of heavy oils. However, the heavy oils are highly oxygenated and solidify on standing in air. As a byproduct, considerable amounts of water-soluble, unextractable carboxylic acids are formed. Systematic studies are carried out with the $\text{formate}\text{inert}$ gas system to determine the reaction conditions appropriate for a future semi-continuous bench-scale reactor. A possible mechanism for the conversion reaction with formate is discussed.