In situ catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulose using alkali-modified amorphous silica alumina.

Canadian pinewood was pyrolyzed at 450 degrees C in an Infrared oven and the pyrolysis vapors were converted by passing through a catalyst bed at 450 degrees C. The catalysts studied were amorphous silica alumina (ASA) containing alkali metal or alkaline earth metal species including Na, K, Cs, Mg and Ca. The catalysts effectiveness to reduce the bio-oil oxygen content, to enhance the bio-oil energy density and to change the liquid and gas product distribution were evaluated using different techniques including gravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, Karl-Fischer titration, GC/MS and micro-GC analysis. According to the results K/ASA found to be the most effective catalysts for conversion of hollocellulose (hemicellulose and cellulose)-derived vapors of pinewood while Cs/ASA catalyst was the most effective catalyst for conversion of lignin-derived vapors and production of hydrocarbons. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.