Optimizing catalytic tar-deoxygenation of fast pyrolysis vapors

Andreas Eschenbacher, Peter Arendt Jensen, Ulrik Birk Henriksen, Jesper Ahrenfeldt, Anker Degn Jensen

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Abstract

The concept of de-centralized smaller scale pyrolysis plants that locally valorize available biomass by densifying its energy content into a bio-crude is of increasing interest world-wide. Fast pyrolysis of biomass produces a high yield of bio-oil through well-established technologies at optimized temperature, pressure, and residence time of the liberated pyrolysis vapors1,2. Operating conditions and chemical transformations that reduce the oil`s oxygen content and acid number to stabilize the oil deserve prioritized attention3 and allow further processing in oil refineries. Deoxygenation can be obtained by catalytic upgrading oversolid acid catalysts. A close coupled process operating at similar temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions to thosepreferred for optimum yields of bio-oil potentially offers economic advantages for zeolite deoxygenation over high pressurehydrotreating4. To date, the medium pore size ZSM-5 zeolite yields a high aromatic yield and the least amount of coke5 in upgrading of pyrolysisvapors. However, coke formation in the reaction of pyrolysis vapors over the zeolites and steam dealumination still leads to rapid deactivation6–9. Enhancement of ZSM-5 performance besides optimal Si/Al ratio and operating temperature is obtained by eithersynthesis modifications, or post-synthesis treatment. Incorporation of Ga to a ZSM-5 catalyst was shown to increase the aromatic yields considerably10, and the combination of several types of catalysts in order to exploit their unique advantages was demonstrated for physically mixing with mesoporous catalysts11 and dual beds comprised of solid acid and basic catalysts13. Despite promising laboratory results, long term experiments of pilot plants showing stable catalyst operation with multiple regeneration steps are needed to prove the economic attractiveness of bio-oil plants.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date2018
Number of pages2
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Event26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE 2018) - Bella Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
Duration: 14 May 201817 May 2018

Conference

Conference26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE 2018)
LocationBella Center
Country/TerritoryDenmark
CityCopenhagen
Period14/05/201817/05/2018

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