Catalytic conversion of bio-oil to oxygen-containing fuels by simultaneous reactions with 1-butanol and 1-octene over solid acids: Model compound studies and reaction pathways.

Zhi-Jun Zhang, Shu-Juan Sui, Shun Tan, Qing-Wen Wang, Charles U Pittman

Index: Bioresour. Technol. 130 , 789-92, (2013)

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Abstract

Upgrading bio-oil by addition reactions across olefins represents a route to refine bio-oil to combustible and stable oxygen-containing fuels. Development and application of highly active strong solid acid catalysts with good hydrothermal stability has become a key determinant for success, because bio-oil's complexity includes large amounts of water. Temperatures of 120°C or more are needed for satisfactory kinetics. Batch upgrading of a model bio-oil (phenol/water/acetic acid/acetaldehyde/hydroxyacetone/d-glucose/2-hydroxymethylfuran) over five water-tolerant solid acid catalysts (Dowex50WX2, Amberlyst15, Amberlyst36, silica sulfuric acid (SSA) and Cs(2.5)H(0.5)PW(12)O(40) supported on K-10 clay (Cs(2.5)/K-10, 30wt.%)) with 1-octene/1-butanol were studied at 120°C/3h. SSA, , exhibited the highest water tolerance and activity. Upgrading using olefin/1-butanol is complex, involving many simultaneous competing esterification, etherification, olefin hydration, phenol alkylation, aldol condensation, sugar dehydration etc. reactions.Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.