Continuous catalytic upgrading of fast pyrolysis oil using iron oxides in red mud

Kastner, J. R., Hilten, R., Weber, J., McFarlane, A. R., Hargreaves, J. S.J. and Batra, V. S. (2015) Continuous catalytic upgrading of fast pyrolysis oil using iron oxides in red mud. RSC Advances, 5(37), pp. 29375-29385. (doi: 10.1039/C5RA01548K)

Abstract

A catalyst composed of primarily magnetite was prepared from red mud, via H2 reduction at 300°C, which significantly increased surface area. Ammonia and CO2 temperature programmed desorption indicated both acid and base active sites. Continuous reaction studies conducted with individual, mixtures of model compounds, and water extracted fast pyrolysis oil indicated acetone was the primary product from acetic acid, and acetone and 2-butanone from acetol. Levoglucosan entered the same pathway, since it formed acetic, formic, and acetol. Total conversion and yields approached 100% and 22 mol% ketones at 400°C and a W/F of 6 h for a model mixture and 15-20 mol% ketones at W/F 1.4-4 h and 400-425°C using water extracted oil. Space time yields approached 60 g ketones/L-cat/h for the model mixture and 120 g/L-cat/h for a commercial oil. The catalyst simultaneously reduced acidity, recovered carbon, and generated upgradable intermediates from the aqueous fraction of fast pyrolysis oil in a continuous process.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hargreaves, Professor Justin and Batra, Dr Vidya and McFarlane, Dr Andrew
• Authors: Kastner, J. R., Hilten, R., Weber, J., McFarlane, A. R., Hargreaves, J. S.J., and Batra, V. S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: RSC Advances
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• ISSN: 2046-2069
• ISSN (Online): 2046-2069