Study of Ni, Pt, and Ru Catalysts on Wood‐based Activated Carbon Supports and their Activity in Furfural Conversion to 2‐Methylfuran

• Published in: ChemCatChem Vol. 10; no. 15; pp. 3269 - 3283
• Main Authors: Mäkelä, Eveliina, Lahti, Riikka, Jaatinen, Salla, Romar, Henrik, Hu, Tao, Puurunen, Riikka L., Lassi, Ulla, Karinen, Reetta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 13.08.2018
• Subjects: 2-methylfuran; Activated carbon; biofuel; Biomass; Carbonization; Catalysis; Catalysts; Dispersions; Furfural; Lignocellulose; Nickel; Noble metals; Organic chemistry; Reaction time; Reduction (metal working); Ruthenium
• ISSN: 1867-3880; 1867-3899
• DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201800263

Bio‐based chemicals can be produced from furfural through hydrotreatment. In this study, 2‐methylfuran (MF), a potential biofuel component, was produced with Pt, Ru, and Ni catalysts supported on wood‐based activated carbons. The catalytic hydrotreatment experiments were conducted in a batch reactor at 210–240 °C with 2‐propanol as solvent and 40 bar H2 pressure. Two types of activated carbon supports were prepared by carbonization and activation of lignocellulosic biomass (forest‐residue‐based birch and spruce from Finland). Both types of activated carbons were suitable as catalyst supports, giving up to 100 % furfural conversions. The most important factors affecting the MF yield were the metal dispersion and particle size as well as reaction temperature. The highest observed MF yields were achieved with the noble metal catalysts with the highest dispersions at 240 °C after 120 min reaction time: 3 wt % Pt on spruce (MF yield of 50 %) and 3 wt % Ru on birch (MF yield of 49 %). Nickel catalysts were less active most likely owing to lower dispersions and incomplete metal reduction. Interesting results were obtained also with varying the metal loadings: the lower Pt loading (1.5 wt %) achieved almost the same MF yield as the 3 wt % catalysts, which can enable the production of MF with high yields and reduced catalyst costs. Based on this study, biomass‐based renewable activated carbons can be used as catalyst supports in furfural hydrotreatment with high conversions. Furfural hydrotreatment was studied over Pt, Ru, and Ni catalysts supported on biomass‐based spruce‐ and birch‐derived activated carbons. Both activated carbons were suitable for catalyst supports. The maximum obtained 2‐methylfuran yield of 50 % was achieved with 3 wt % Pt on spruce‐based activated carbon. The most important factors affecting 2‐methylfuran production were metal dispersion and particle size as well as reaction temperature.