Catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of biomass-derived pyrolysis oil over alloyed bimetallic Ni3Fe nanocatalyst for high-grade biofuel production. (1st June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bharath, G.; Rambabu, K.; Hai, Abdul; Banat, Fawzi; Taher, Hanifa; Schmidt, Jens Ejbye; Show, Pau Loke
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 213(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06-01
• Subjects: Biomass -- Pyrolysis-oil -- Bimetallic alloy, nanocatalysts, hydrodeoxygenation -- Bio-fuel; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2020.112859
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Highlights: A cost-effective Ni3 Fe catalyst was developed for the upgrdation of pyrolysis-oil (Py-oil). Ni3 Fe catalyst showed hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) activity for Py-oil upgradation. Ni3 Fe catalyst enhanced hydrocarbons content to 23.8 wt% and HHV of 36.8 MJ kg −1 . Catalytic conversion mechanism of Py-oil HDO over Ni3 Fe catalyst was proposed. Ni3 Fe catalyst showed stability in the production of biofuel. Abstract: The design of cost-effective and high-performance bimetallic catalysts has become crucial for the effective conversion of biomass-derived pyrolysis-oil (Py-oil) into liquid biofuels. New bimetallic Ni3 Fe catalysts were developed for effective hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of Py-oil derived from date seeds. Ni3 Fe catalyst showed a well-defined octagon-like morphology with a diameter of 120 nm and high saturation magnetization (Ms) of 78 emu g −1 at room temperature. Py-oil was subjected to catalytic HDO processes at 250 °C for 120 min in a 10 bar H2 atmosphere in the presence of Ni3 Fe catalyst. Characterization results confirmed HDO of several components of Py-oil, including phenols, acids, aldehyde and ketones, sugars and aromatic hydrocarbons over the surfaces of Ni3 Fe catalyst. The obtained upgraded Py-oil (HDO Py-oil) showed the highest hydrocarbons content of 23.77%, higher heating value (HHV) of 36.78 MJ kg −1, and lower content of water, total acid number, and viscosity than fresh Py-oil. Bimetallic Ni3 Fe catalyst resulted in better HDO performance and re-usability for five consecutive cycles than recently reported monometallic or noble metal nanocatalysts. Plausible reaction pathways for the formation of major components including ethane, ethyl acetate, 2, 5-dimethylfuran, D-sorbitol, methylcyclohexane, furfural alcohol, and 1, 5-pentane diols are discussed. Results demonstrate that this simple and active bimetallic catalytic system leads to a cutting-edge liquid biofuels production pathway in the future.