(196d) Thermochemical Biomass Processing for H2 and Biodiesel Production

Catalytic thermochemical processing of a biomass has great potential for the production of H₂ and hydrocarbon fuels. This study reports subcritical aqueous phase liquefaction of biomass using homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for the production of H₂ and biodiesel from a waste biomass. Different catalytic materials were prepared using sol-gel, solid state synthesis and wet-impregnation approaches. In the case of sol-gel approach, metal (Ni, Fe)-salt was dispersed in ethanol/water solution containing surfactants such as Brij-76/pluronic 123 and gelation was achieved using propylene oxide. As prepared material was dried, calcined at 400-600^oC. Catalysts nanoparticles were also synthesized using solid state synthesis method. In another approach, mesoporous materials immobilized with Ni/Cu/Co were prepared by wet-incipient method. These catalytic materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The waste paper and woody biomass substrates were treated at 200-300^oC in presence of different catalysts and the production of H₂ was monitored. The bio-oil obtained was recovered and treated with nanoscale catalyst materials in presence of methanol for the biodiesel production. The processed slurry obtained after catalytic aqueous phase reforming of a biomass was analyzed using TOC analyzer, GC-MS and HPLC. The results obtained on H₂ and biodiesel production from a biomass will be presented.