Improving the monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons production from fast pyrolysis of biomass over Fe‐modified ZSM‐5 catalysts

Abstract

SummaryFe‐modified ZSM‐5 (Fe/ZMS‐5) catalysts were prepared and used during catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass (CFP) to achieve high yields of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs) and inhibit the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The catalytic effects on the yield and selectivity of aromatic hydrocarbons (aromatics) under various reaction conditions were evaluated. Under the optimal reaction conditions at 600°C and mass ratio of catalyst to biomass (catalyst/biomass) of 10/1, the 15 wt% Fe/ZMS‐5 catalyst displayed the highest productions of MAHs and PAHs with the values of 212.2 mg and 94.5 mg per gram biomass, corresponding to the MAHs selectivity of 69.2%, which were significantly higher than those obtained over ZSM‐5 alone. The origins of aromatic hydrocarbons were explored by CFP of three typical components of biomass. Combined the characterization and reaction performance of catalysts, the catalytic mechanisms of Fe/ZSM‐5 catalyst for biomass pyrolysis to produce aromatic hydrocarbons were put forward.