Asep Bayu

Selective production of aromatic hydrocarbons from catalytic pyrolysis of biomass over Cu or Fe loaded mesoporous rod-like alumina

The selective production of aromatic hydrocarbons from bio-oil derived from the fast pyrolysis of sunflower stalks over Cu or Fe-modified mesoporous rod-like alumina catalysts was investigated. Uniform mesoporous rod-like alumina with different pore sizes were successfully synthesized using a hydrothermal method with the assistance of Pluronic P123 surfactant. A high relative total hydrocarbon amount of about 59% in the upgraded bio-oil was obtained when pure mesoporous Al2O3 with a uniform pore size of 5.81 nm was used. Mesoporous Al2O3 with a larger pore size resulted in more polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as indenes and naphthalenes being generated. Cu or Fe loaded Al2O3 with a loading amount in the range of 1–2.5 wt% showed a high selectivity towards monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs) such as benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTXs) over 80%. By using 2.5 wt% Cu/Al2O3-0.01, the highest relative total hydrocarbon amount reached 89%, which consisted of about 84% aromatic hydrocarbons and 4.9% aliphatic hydrocarbons. Both catalysts showed good catalytic stability and regeneration properties. A catalytic system with high effectiveness and long-term stability was expected to be obtained to convert the oxygenated compounds in bio-oil to high value-added hydrocarbons.

Bifunctional Mg−Cu-Loaded β-Zeolite: High Selectivity for the Conversion of Furfural into Monoaromatic Compounds

Mg−Cu‐loaded β‐zeolite was prepared as an acid−base bifunctional catalyst for the conversion of furfural to monoaromatic compounds. It is found that this catalyst exhibited high selectivity towards benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTXs) production with anti‐polycyclic‐aromatic‐hydrocarbon formation as well as anti‐coking ability when compared with Cu‐loaded β‐zeolite and the parent β‐zeolite. The product distribution indicated that addition of Cu species significantly promoted the deoxygenation and aromatization of an intermediate product of furan while Mg apparently suppressed the polyaromatization. Especially, an optimum loading amount of 0.5 wt%Mg‐1 wt%Cu on β‐zeolite was obtained, which showed lower catalytic deoxygenation temperature and interestingly, only benzene was detected in the liquid product at a reaction temperature over 700 °C. Also, 0.5 wt%Mg‐1 wt%Cu/β‐zeolite exhibited long‐term stability for 10 cycles with 100 % of furfural conversion to monoaromatic compounds. The physicochemical properties of β‐zeolite after Cu and Mg loadings were characterized using N2 sorption, XRD, SEM‐EDX, TEM, H2‐TPR, UV‐Vis, XPS, NH3‐TPD and CO2‐TPD techniques. The significant changing of acidity and basicity of β‐zeolite were found after Cu and Mg loadings, which should be the main factors for the improvement of activity, selectivity and stability of the developed catalyst.