Liquefaction of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) by supercritical fluid extraction

Air dried and ground Arundo donax L. was subjected to supercritical and catalytic fluid extraction by using organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone and 2-butanol) with (NaOH or Na2CO3) and without catalyst at different temperatures. The liquid products obtained were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction with benzene and diethyl ether. The percentage of yields of liquid products from supercritical extraction by methanol, ethanol, acetone and 2-butanol conversions were 40.3%, 60.7%, 73.58% and 82.1% at 558 K respectively. The highest conversion was obtained in 2-butanol without using catalyst at 558 K. As for the catalytic run, it was with NaOH in ethanol at the same temperature (558 K). Two of selected yields of conversion were analyzed by GC–MS.