Valorisation of the residual aqueous phase from hydrothermally liquefied black liquor by persulphate-based advanced oxidation

Hydrothermal liquefaction of Kraft black liquor is a promising method for the production of valuable organic chemicals. However, the separation of the biochar and biocrude leaves a residual aqueous phase in large volumes, which needs to be properly managed to make the process profitable. In this work, the persulphate-based advanced oxidation was assessed, for the first time ever, as a pretreatment of this aqueous phase to reduce its content of phenolic compounds and alcohols, which hinder further valorisation strategies. Results revealed that the phenolic compounds and the alcohols were oxidised in presence of low persulphate anion concentrations (<50 mM), mainly to quinone-like compounds and organic acids. At higher oxidant concentrations, these intermediates were subsequently oxidised to valuable acetic acid. When Fe (II) was added as the catalyst, low concentrations (<9 mM) enhanced the degradation of both phenolic compounds and alcohols due to the increase of the sulphate radicals, consequently reducing persulphate requirements for their removal. Nevertheless, higher Fe (II) doses produced the sequestration of sulphate radicals, thus decreasing the oxidation performance and generating undesired parallel reactions.