Paper details

Title:

Catalytic Activity of Alkaline Minerals in the Pyrolytic Conversion of Biomass. Preliminary Results

Author(s):

Hernández, M., Sánchez-Caba, J., Fowler, G.D., Goodman, S.J., Pérez-Pariente, J., Sastre, E., Márquez-Álvarez, C., San Miguel, G.

Document(s):

Abstract:

Biomass pyrolysis oils have poor fuel properties owing to the high concentration of oxygenated species. The catalytic conversion of pyrolysis oils over acid solids has been investigated in numerous papers. This work presents some preliminary results describing the potential of alkaline minerals in the thermal degradation of biomass. Pine wood and oils derived from the thermal degradation of this biomass were initially characterised for their chemical, thermal and fuel properties. Four natural minerals known for their alkaline character and their catalytic activity in the cracking of tars were selected for this investigation including: limestone, dolomite, hydrotalcite and olivine. Silica sand, known for its inert behaviour, and three acid solids (HY and Beta zeolites and Al­MCM­41) known for their catalytic activity in the cracking of petroleum fractions and deoxygenating capacity, were tested in parallel for comparative purposes. The interaction of these materials with pyrolysis oils at low temperatures was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results evidenced that alkaline minerals promoted polymerisation reactions in the pyrolysis oils (addition, esterification and etherification) at temperatures above 175ºC with dolomite showing the highest catalytic activity. In contrast, the presence of acid catalysts did not have any notable effect in this aspect. Preliminary results obtained using Pyrolysis­Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py­GC/MS) evidenced the catalytic activity of alkaline minerals in the cracking and deoxygenation of pyrolysis vapours. Although this activity was not as effective as with synthetic acid catalysts, this is likely to be compensated by the lower market price of the former.

Keywords:

biomass, catalysis, pyrolysis, dolomite, olivine, py-GC/MS

Topic:

Thermochemical conversion - Pyrolysis for power, CHP, polygeneration and chemicals

Subtopic:

Pyrolysis for power, CHP, polygeneration and chemicals

Event:

18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

VP2.3.35

Pages:

1071 - 1077

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-56-1

ISBN-10:

88-89407-56-5

Paper DOI:

10.5071/18thEUBCE2010-VP2.3.35

Price:

FREE