Degradation of poplar and spruce wood chips using alkaline glycerol

Poplar and spruce wood chips were degraded by using glycerol as a solvent and alkaline glycerol with and without alkali media at different temperatures: 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, and 500 K, then the results were compared with the other organic solvent systems. The degradation reactions were mainly occurred as delignification and partly decomposition of cellulose. The effects of solvent, temperature, catalyst, delignification time and wood species on the yield of delignification were discussed. Major byproducts from delignification rections of wood chips include lignin degradation products. Lignin and its degradation products can be utilized as fuels.