(265a) Catalytic Hydroprocessing of Bio-Oil Derived From Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis of Biomass to Produce Hydrocarbon Products

Catalytic hydroprocessing has been used to produce fuels from bio-oils generated from both catalytic and non-catalytic fast pyrolysis of pine wood. The intent of the research was to evaluate the effect of processing mild catalytic pyrolysis derived oils by catalytic hydroprocessing and compare it to bio-oil produced without catalyst present in the pyrolysis reaction in the same bench-scale continuous-flow fixed-bed reactor system. This paper details the experimentation and product analysis undertaken at PNNL. A series of oils were produced under varying catalyst to biomass ratios on a harmonized pine sawdust feedstock in the bench-scale fluidized bed reactor, which were then subjected to hydroprocessing over a typical catalyst under a limited set of operating conditions. Detailed analyses of the products were performed including elemental analysis, mass and carbon balances, and limited chemical functional content. In summation, the paper provides an initial understanding of the potential benefits and consequences on hydroprocessing bio-oils that have been produced through mild catalytic pyrolysis.