Production of Phenolic Compounds from Low Temperature Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis of Biomass with Activated Carbon

Abstract

Activated carbon (AC) was reported as a promising catalyst to selectively produce phenolic compounds from biomass using the micro-wave assisted catalytic pyrolysis technique. In order to evaluate the catalytic performance of the AC under the traditional fast pyrolysis process, analytical pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) technique was applied for the catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass mixed with the AC. Polar wood was selected as the feedstock, and experiments were conducted to reveal the AC-catalyzed poplar wood pyrolysis behavior and product distribution. The results indicated that the AC was also effective for the phenolics production in the traditional fast pyrolysis process at 350 °C. It could promote the formation of phenolic compounds, and inhibit most of the other pyrolytic products. The maximal phenolics yield was obtained at the biomass to catalyst ratio of 1:4, with the peak area% over 50%.