Gas-phase hydrodeoxygenation of phenol over Zn/SiO2 catalysts: Effects of zinc load, temperature, weight hourly space velocity, and H2 volumetric flow rate
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2020
Abstract
The hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of phenol catalyzed by Zn/SiO2 under atmospheric H2 pressure was investigated in a continuous fixed bed reactor. The effects of several process parameters (zinc load, reaction temperature, weight hourly space velocity (WHSV), and H2 volumetric flow rate) were evaluated to optimize process conditions. Phenol was selected as a stable model component for lignin degradation products in fast pyrolysis bio-oil. Silica-supported zinc catalysts were prepared with different loadings of the active metal (0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and assessed using characterization techniques such as XRD, ICP-OES, BET, H2-TPR/TPD, and FESEM–EDX. Reaction products including benzene, cyclohexene, and cyclohexane were identified through GC/FID analysis. Experimental results revealed that process yield increased with reaction temperature, metal loading, and WHSV. The selectivity percentages of the products were slightly changed by varying process parameters. Moreover, H2 volumetric flow rate exerted a negligible effect on product yield and selectivity. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd
Keywords
Atmospheric hydrodeoxygenation, Zn/SiO2, Zinc catalyst, Bio-oil upgrading, Phenolic compounds
Divisions
fac_eng
Funders
Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant No. (DF-434-829-1441)
Publication Title
Biomass and Bioenergy
Volume
138
Publisher
Elsevier