Effect of zeolite to binder ratio on product yields and composition during catalytic steam pyrolysis of biomass over transition metal modified HZSM5

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) Vol. 122; pp. 119 - 125
• Main Authors: Kantarelis, E., Yang, W., Blasiak, W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 15.04.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Binders; Bio-oil upgrading; Biomass; Biomass pyrolysis; Biomass to liquids; Catalysis; Catalysts; Catalytic pyrolysis; Deoxygenation; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Liquids; Natural energy; Pyrolysis; Zeolite cracking; Zeolites; Bio-oil upgrading; Zeolite cracking; Biomass to liquids; Catalytic pyrolysis; Biomass pyrolysis; Pyrolysis; Transition metal; Biomass; Zeolite; Binders; Water vapor; Molecular sieve; Cracking(refining); Upgrading
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2013.12.054

•Liquid of low oxygen content can be obtained by the use of multifunctional catalyst.•Competitive steam adsorption on the acid sites slows down cyclization reactions.•Metal functions seem to convert phenolics and acid sites of zeolite other oxygenates.•Ni–V seems to promote production of some hydrogenated products.•Low PAH formation was observed and can be attributed to steam presence. Catalytic pyrolysis of biomass over metal modified zeolites (multifunctional catalysts) is a very promising route for production of hydrocarbons and less oxygenated liquid feedstock suitable for fuels and/or chemicals. In this work the effect of zeolite to binder ratio (Z/B) of a metal modified HZSM5, on products yields and composition during steam pyrolysis of biomass has been investigated. Increased zeolite content resulted in lower liquid yield and increased coke formation; however, more deoxygenated liquids obtained at higher zeolite loadings. Char yield is not significantly affected by the zeolite content. Declining catalytic activity is observed at longer time on stream because of coke deposition. While acidic function of the catalyst deoxygenates carboxylic acids and carbonyls, metal functions seem to selectively convert phenols and methoxy phenols. Competitive steam adsorption on the acid sites of the zeolite seems to lower the conversion to aromatics. The high availability of acid sites, at higher zeolite loading, increases aromatics concentration exponentially. Increased yields of hydrogenated products have been obtained indicating that the Ni–V/HZSM5 catalyst exhibits some hydrogenation activity.