(476c) Catalytic Subcritical Aqueous Phase Conversion of Waste Biomass Into Biofuels

Subcritical
aqueous phase catalytic processing of waste biomass into potential hydrocarbon
fuels was investigated. Experiments with homogeneous catalysts were performed
with slurry of 10-20 wt% waste paper in distilled water previously mixed with
5wt% (Cu²⁺ or Ni²⁺ ions) catalyst.
Heterogeneous catalytic reactions were performed using the catalyst, which was
prepared by the surfactant assisted sol-gel synthesis route involving
generation of an ordered mesoporous silicate structure.  The gel formation was
accomplished using silica precursor, ethanol, and Brij-76 surfactant well-mixed
in acidified solution and finally calcined at 600^oC. The calcined
powder was analyzed using TEM, AFM, and powder x-ray diffraction. The
mesoporous gels were functionalized with poly(4-vinyl)pyridine and treated with
metal ions to establish their binding with the silicate network.
Functionalization of the mesoporous silica surface was confirmed using FTIR,
and metals were analyzed with the energy dispersive spectroscopy. Next, the
catalyst was mixed with the slurry of waste paper (10-20 wt%) in distilled
water and heated to 150^o-250^oC in a high pressure
reactor. In addition, a catalytic bed was supported on a reactor for selective
enrichment of hydrocarbon fuels. Synthesis and characterization of a catalyst, results
obtained on the hydropyrolysis of the biomass, and kinetic analysis, including
a global reaction network model, will be presented in detail.