Catalytic Hydrotreatment of the Pyrolytic Sugar and Pyrolytic Lignin Fractions of Fast Pyrolysis Liquids Using Nickel Based Catalysts

Wang Yin, Maria V. Alekseeva (Bykova), Robertus Hendrikus Venderbosch, Vadim A. Yakovlev and Hero Jan Heeres
Additional contact information
Wang Yin: Department of Chemical Engineering, ENTEG, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
Maria V. Alekseeva (Bykova): Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Akademika Lavrentieva Prospekt, 5, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
Robertus Hendrikus Venderbosch: Biomass Technology Group BV, Josink Esweg 34, 7545 PN Enschede, The Netherlands
Vadim A. Yakovlev: Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Akademika Lavrentieva Prospekt, 5, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
Hero Jan Heeres: Department of Chemical Engineering, ENTEG, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-25

Abstract: Catalytic hydrotreatment is recognized as an efficient method to improve the properties of pyrolysis liquids (PO) to allow co-feeding with fossil fuels in conventional refinery units. The promising catalyst recipes identified so far are catalysts with high nickel contents (38 to 57 wt.%), promoted by Cu, Pd, Mo and/or a combination, and supported by SiO 2 , SiO 2 -ZrO 2 , SiO 2 -ZrO 2 -La 2 O 3 or SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 . To gain insights into the reactivity of the pyrolytic sugar (PS) and pyrolytic lignin (PL) fraction of PO, hydrotreatment studies (350 °C, 120 bar H 2 pressure (RT) for 4 h) were performed in a batch autoclave. Catalyst performance was evaluated by considering the product properties (H/C ratio, the charring tendency (TGA) and molecular weight distribution (GPC)) and the results were compared with a benchmark Ru/C catalyst. All Ni based catalysts gave products oils with a higher H/C compared to Ru/C. The Mo promoted catalyst performed best, giving a product with the highest H/C ratio (1.54) and the lowest TG residue (0.8 wt.% compared to 12 wt.% for the fresh PS). The results further revealed that the PS fraction is highly reactive and full conversion was achieved at 350 °C. In contrast, the PL fraction was rather inert, and only part of the PL fraction was converted. The fresh and spent catalysts after the hydrotreatment of the PS and PL fractions were characterized by elemental analysis, powder X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM-EDX). The results revealed that the use of PS as the feed leads to higher amounts of coke deposits on the catalysts, and higher levels of Ni agglomeration when compared to experiments with PL and pure PO. This proofs that proper catalyst selection for the PS fraction is of higher importance than for the PL fraction. The Mo promoted Ni catalysts showed the lowest amount of coke and the lowest tendency for Ni nanoparticle agglomeration compared to the monometallic Ni and bimetallic Ni-Cu catalysts.

Keywords: pyrolysis liquids; pyrolytic sugars; pyrolytic lignin; nickel-based catalysts; catalytic hydrotreatment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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