Synergistic Catalytic Effect of Sulphated Zirconia—HCl System for Levulinic Acid and Solid Residue Production Using Microwave Irradiation

George Hurst, Juan Maria González-Carballo, Lubomira Tosheva and Silvia Tedesco
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George Hurst: Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
Juan Maria González-Carballo: Drochaid Research Services Ltd., Purdie Building, North Haugh, St Andrews Fife KY16 9ST, UK
Lubomira Tosheva: Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
Silvia Tedesco: Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, UK

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-13

Abstract: The synergistic conversion of Miscanthus x Giganteous with sulphated zirconia and dilute hydrochloric acid was investigated. The sulphated zirconia was prepared using H 2 SO 4 impregnation and characterised using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Scanning Electron Miscroscope (SEM) spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements. The microwave-assisted reaction was evaluated at various temperatures, reaction times and catalyst-to-biomass ratios, with and without the presence of trace HCl in the solution medium for the conversion of Miscanthus x Giganteous to levulinic acid. The highest levulinic acid yield of 63.8% was achieved at 160 °C, 80 min and a 2:1 catalyst-to-biomass ratio, with 10 mM HCl. The catalyst recyclability was investigated with and without calcination, finding that significant humin deposition on the catalyst surface likely caused catalyst deactivation. The post-reaction solid residue was also characterised using SEM, EDX, XRD, elemental composition and nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements. Findings indicate that this residue could potentially be used as a soil amendment or as a fuel source. The synergistic conversion of real lignocellulosic biomass with sulphated zirconia and trace hydrochloric acid showed remarkable promise and should be investigated further.

Keywords: microwave catalysis; sulphated zirconia; heterogeneous catalysis; lignocellulosic biomass; levulinic acid; hydrochars (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: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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