Supercritical fluid extraction of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea)

Conversion of milled Phalaris arundinacea stalk to liquid products has been performed with organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone and 2-butanol) with catalysts (NaOH or Na2CO3) and without catalyst in an autoclave at temperatures of 530, 550 and 570 K. The liquid products obtained were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction with benzene and diethyl ether. The percentage of yields (liquid products) from supercritical extraction by methanol, ethanol, 2-butanol and acetone conversions were 51.7%, 57.2%, 59.8% and 72.8% at 570 K respectively. The highest conversion in the catalytic run was obtained by using ethanol with NaOH at the same temperature (570 K). Some of selected yields of conversion were analyzed by GC–MS. The purpose of present study was to obtain an alternative for petroleum derived fuels or chemical raw materials. ► Milled Phalaris arundinacea stalks were converted to liquid products. ► Acetone and 2-butanol as solvents and sodium hydroxide as catalyst provide the optimum conditions. ► The liquid products were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction with benzene and diethyl ether. ► Some of the yields of conversion obtained at 570 K without catalysts were analyzed by GC–MS.