Catalytic partial oxidation of pyrolysis oils.

Abstract

Pyrolysis oils, created from biomass by rapid heating in the absence of oxygen, are a promising intermediate for renewable fuels. Catalytic partial oxidation (CPO) can convert pyrolysis oils to synthesis gas, a mixture of CO and H2, which can be subsequently converted to synthetic renewable fuels: Fischer Tropsch alkanes, methanol, dimethyl ether, or H2 for fuel cells. CPO is rapid, with contact times of 10-30 ms, tunable to a select few types of products, and autothermal. The CPO of model compounds of pyrolysis oils, including acids, esters, and polyols is explored over Rh and Pt catalysts. Experiments over Rh achieve near equilibrium production of syngas. Over Pt, non-equilibrium olefins and aldehydes are observed, which give insight into the catalytic and homogeneous chemistry in CPO. Reactive Flash Volatilization (RFV), wherein liquid droplets are sprayed directly onto the catalyst surface, is also explored for both glycerol and three types of pyrolysis oil. A long-term study of RFV of glycerol explores the longevity of the noble metal catalyst in this technique.