Lignocellulosic biomass has gained increased attention as an alternative resource for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals. Among various thermoconversion processes, the catalytic fast hydropyrolysis of biomass can generate a hydrocarbon-rich bio-oil with minimal coke formation and low oxygen content, which is more compatible with existing petroleum refining infrastructure. Metal supported catalysts are often employed in continuous in-situ and ex-situ reactors to enhance the hydrodeoxigenation of pyrolysis vapors. However, these processes typically require relatively high catalyst-to-biomass ratios to produce reasonable quantities of hydrocarbons. In this research, beetle-killed lodge pole pine decorated with palladium nanoparticles (BKLP-PdNP) are prepared using a simple sonication-assisted impregnation procedure, where Pd(II) ions are subsequently reduced to PdNPs by the lignin within the wood and adsorbed on the hydroxyl groups of the cellulose. BKLP presents a serious fire hazard in the forest and is undesirable for construction and composite applications due to its low moisture content and compromised structural integrity, making it the ideal feedstock for thermoconversion processes. The as-prepared BKLP-PdNPs were thoroughly characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The fast hydropyrolysis of BKLP-PdNP was conducted in a 5200 high pressure micropyrolizer and the vapor products were analyzed by GC/MS FID. Results reveal that even a low loading of PdNP can yield high-quality aromatic hydrocarbons. The effects of temperature, pressure and PdNP content on conversion yields and selectivity were examined, and the structure of the solid residue from hydropyrolysis was analyzed.

Fast hydropyrolysis of beetle killed lodge pole pine decorated with palladium nanoparticles

255th National Meeting (2018)

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