Catalytic cracking of a model bio-petroleum compound (sugar di-ketals) using beta zeolite as catalyst

Abstract

Conversion of biomass (BM) to fuel is a promising solution to reduce the carbon footprint. By modifying BM by ketalization, a stable, neutral liquid we call bio-petroleum (BP) is obtained. In this study, a representative compound of BP, DX (1,2:3,5-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-xylofuranose) was co-processed with n-hexane(nC6) into biofuel. In the search for a process to deoxygenate the DX and avoid over-cracking, to optimize gas and coke yields using a beta catalyst in a fluidized bed catalytic cracking (FCC) unit at a process temperature of 540 °C, we explored mixing 10–70 wt% DX in nC6, with catalyst/feed ratios from 3 to 6 and feed injection time of 30 versus 60 s. DX was fully converting under all conditions tested, while nC6 conversion decreased, reaching zero conversion when DX > 50 wt%. Coke yield varied from 3 to 9 wt%. The mixture containing a low amount of DX provided hydrocarbons without oxygenates. The mixture of 50% DX in nC6 only gave 2.7 wt% of oxygenates such as furans and ketones. Hence, the results confirmed the strong potential of beta catalysts to produce biofuel, superior to ZSM-5 and Y zeolites. Furthermore, the results of the variations of processing parameters added insights about the bio-petroleum conversion steps, contributing to further catalyst and process development.