Kinetic Modeling and Experimental Investigation of Hydro‐Catalytic Upgrading of Anisole as a Model Compound of Bio‐Oils Derived from Fast Pyrolysis of Lignin over Co/γ‐Al2O3

Abstract

AbstractHydro‐catalytic upgrading of anisole, as a representative of methoxy functionality model component of lignin‐derived bio‐oil over synthesized Co/γ–Al2O3 catalyst, has been studied to determine the reactions kinetics and network. The catalytic conversion was carried out in a fixed‐bed tubular micro‐activity flow reactor at 573–723 K, 8 bar, and the space velocity of 3–120 (g of Anisole)/(g of catalyst×h), in the presence of hydrogen. According to selectivity‐conversion data, anisole was converted to benzene and toluene via hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), phenol via hydrogenolysis and phenol derivatives via alkylation and trans‐alkylation. Furthermore, a pseudo‐first‐order model has been developed to estimate the apparent activation energy and kinetic constants. Toluene formation pathway possessed the minimum apparent activation energy. From experimental results, hydrogenolysis and HDO are characterized by the highest and lowest rate, respectively among various reactions on Co/γ–Al2O3. The overall rate of anisole conversion over Co/γ–Al2O3 was higher than that of commercial CoMo/γ–Al2O3 catalyst. Sensitivity analysis of operating conditions indicated that operating temperature increment improved the overall anisole conversion and selectivity to benzene as the main HDO product.