Introduction Pyrolysis-oil is promising as a renewable hydrocarbon feedstock; however to its high corrosivity, high oxygen content, and low octane rating impede its acceptance as fuel. Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is a promising to upgrade pyrolysis-oil.Due to the high content of water in pyrolysis-oil and the aqueous environment of the HDO process, it is challenging to synthesize a hydrothermally stable support. SBA-15 is hydrothermally unstable hence need to be modified.For oxides, there is a characteristic pH value, termed as the Point of Zero Charge, at which the hydroxyl groups on the surface of oxides remain neutral, and they become positively/negatively charged when the pH of solution is below/above the PZC, and as a result, oxides can absorb anions and cations respectively. The metal complex can deposit on the surfaces via Strong Electrostatic Adsorption. We investigate the hydrothermal stability of Al and Nb modified SBA-15 for HDO of pyrolysis-oil. Well dispersed Ru, Pt on supports are synthesized by SEA.Materials and Methods Modified SBA-15 supports with different Al:Si and Nb:Si atomic ratios were synthesized by different methods. The hydrothermal stability tests were performed in a 100 mL capacity stainless steel batch reactor at 220 oC for 24 hours. The BET and BJH methods were used to evaluate hydrothermal stability of supports.The PZC of supports was determined.Uptake was surveyed to locate the pH of strongest electrostatic adsorption. Syntheses were performed at optimal pH and samples were reduced in hydrogen. Catalysts are to be characterized by XRD and STEM. HDO reaction will be performed using p-cresol as a model compound at 300 oC and 290 psig H2 pressure with 0.2 g of catalysts. The activity of catalysts will be monitored every 15 min.Results and Discussion The Al-SBA-15 by direct synthesis shows high stability. A detailed catalyst evaluation is underway.

Rational synthesis of pyrolysis oil HDO catalysts on hydrothermally stable supports

248th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.