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Hybridization of ZSM‐5 with Spinel Oxides for Biomass Vapour Upgrading
Author(s) -
Atanda Luqman,
Batalha Nuno,
Stark Terra,
Tabulo Ben,
Perkins Greg,
Wang Zhiliang,
Odedairo Taiwo,
Wang Lianzhou,
Konarova Muxina
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201902023
Subject(s) - deoxygenation , spinel , pyrolysis , catalysis , chemical engineering , mesoporous material , chemistry , zeolite , inorganic chemistry , sawdust , calcination , carbon fibers , oxide , materials science , organic chemistry , composite number , metallurgy , engineering , composite material
In this study, we report catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass using multifunctional hybrid spinel‐oxide@zeolite catalysts prepared by using the steam‐assisted crystallization (SAC) method to create the mesoporous zeolite followed by urea hydrolysis of metal nitrates to deposit spinel‐oxides. This hybrid catalyst was quite effective in the deoxygenation of pinewood sawdust pyrolysis vapours, while avoiding over cracking of the lignin precursors, which are already ideal as chemical and fuel precursors. In the first step, multiple spinel oxides MgB 2 O 4 (where B=Fe, Al, Ce, Ga, Cr) were screened as catalysts for the pyrolysis of pinewood sawdust and the resultant bio‐oil (bio‐oil on the water‐free basis) was assessed in terms of carbon efficiency, oxygen content and chemical composition. While all the tested spinel oxides deoxygenated the pyrolysis vapour, MgAl 2 O 4 and MgFe 2 O 4 were found to provide a well‐balanced deoxygenation degree and producing bio‐oil with acceptable carbon efficiency. Catalytic activity and product distribution were affected by the density and strength of the acid sites of the spinel oxides. Subsequently, CFP over MgFe 2 O 4 @ZSM5 and MgAl 2 O 4 @ZSM5 was investigated under similar condition. The better performance of the hybrid catalyst was attributed to the deposition of small particles of MgFe 2 O 4 in the external surface of the zeolite. The presence of this spinel oxide on the external surface depolymerized bulky oxygenates to lighter fractions that could easily access the active sites within the mesoporous structure of the zeolite, thus providing the catalytic function needed for the oxygen removal after aromatic ring saturation.