Catalytic Hydroprocessing of Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Bio-oil to Produce Hydrocarbon Products

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 2009 · Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 28(3):441-449

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.10384· OSTI ID:979502

Elliott, Douglas C; Hart, Todd R; Neuenschwander, Gary G; Rotness, Leslie J; Zacher, Alan H

Catalytic hydroprocessing has been applied to biomass fast pyrolysis liquid product (bio-oil) in a bench-scale continuous-flow fixed-bed reactor system. The intent of the research was to develop process technology to convert the bio-oil into a petroleum refinery feedstock to supplement fossil energy resources and to displace imported feedstock. The project was a cooperative research and development agreement among UOP LLC, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). This paper is focused on the process experimentation and product analysis undertaken at PNNL. The paper describes the experimental methods used and relates the results of the product analyses. A range of catalyst formulations were tested over a range of operating parameters including temperature, pressure, and flow-rate with bio-oil derived from several different biomass feedstocks. Effects of liquid hourly space velocity and catalyst bed temperature were assessed. Details of the process results were presented including mass and elemental balances. Detailed analysis of the products were provided including elemental composition, chemical functional type determined by mass spectrometry, and product descriptors such as density, viscosity and Total Acid Number (TAN). In summation, the paper provides an understanding of the efficacy of hydroprocessing as applied to bio-oil.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 979502
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-66812; BM0101010
• Journal Information: Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 28(3):441-449, Journal Name: Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 28(3):441-449 Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 28
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
09 BIOMASS FUELS
14 SOLAR ENERGY
BIOMASS
CATALYSTS
FLOW RATE
FUNCTIONALS
HYDROCARBONS
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY
PETROLEUM
PYROLYSIS
VELOCITY
VISCOSITY
catalysis
hydroprocessing
pyrolysis