Abstract
The modes of deactivation -and the extent to which their properties can be restored- of two catalyst bodies used in cascade for bio-oil synthesis have been studied. These catalysts include a solid acid granulate (namely ZrO2/desilicated zeolite ZSM-5/attapulgite clay) employed in ex-situ catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass, and a base extrudate (K-exchanged zeolite USY/attapulgite clay) for the subsequent bio-oil upgrading. Post-mortem analyses of both catalyst bodies with Raman spectroscopy and confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed the presence of highly poly-aromatic coke distributed in an egg-shell manner. Deactivation due to coke adsorption onto acid sites affected the zeolite ZSM-5-based catalyst, while for the base catalyst it is structural integrity loss, resulting from KOH-mediated zeolite framework collapse, the main deactivating factor. A hydrothermal regeneration process reversed the detrimental effects of coke in the acid catalyst, largely recovering catalyst acidity (∼80%) and textural properties (∼90%), but worsened the structural damage suffered by the base catalyst.
Highlights
The production of fuels, such as bio-kerosene for aviation transportation, directly from lignocellulosic biomass is of increasing interest for energy sustainability [1]
When Catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) is performed in the socalled ex-situ mode [4], the catalyst is only contacted with the pyrolysis vapors after conducting the thermal pyrolysis step in a separate reactor
We report on the different modes of deactivation of two tailored catalysts used in cascade for a more efficient bio-oil deoxygenation in lignocellulose catalytic pyrolysis
Summary
The production of fuels, such as bio-kerosene for aviation transportation, directly from lignocellulosic biomass is of increasing interest for energy sustainability [1]. Bio-oil produced via thermal pyrolysis of biomass does not meet the requirements desired for a transportation fuel as it is very viscous, dense, corrosive and poorly energetic [2]. When CFP is performed in the socalled ex-situ mode [4], the catalyst is only contacted with the pyrolysis vapors after conducting the thermal pyrolysis step in a separate reactor. This way of operation favors the formation of
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