(134f) Fast Catalyst Evaluation Using Pyro-GC-MS for Lignin Conversion to Chemicals and Fuels

Lignin is a byproduct from wood pulping and cellulosic ethanol production. Currently most lignin is only burned for heat generation. Lignin has great potential to be one of the big drivers of switching from oil-based to bio-based fuels and chemicals. This paper presents a fast catalyst evaluation method for converting lignin to aromatics and liquid fuels using pyro-GC-MS. Six different catalysts, including ZSM-5, HY, FCC catalyst, Ru/alumina, Ni/beta, and Ru-Cu/HY catalyst which had been successfully applied in one-pot lignin conversion to jet fuel [1,2], were tested. For each catalyst, two temperatures, 600°C and 800°C, were compared. The lignin-derived intermediates, including toluene, xylenes, and phenols, were characterized by GC-MS. The detailed side-by-side comparison of the catalysts will be presented.

[1] H. Wang, H. Ruan, M. Feng, et al, One-Pot Process for Hydrodeoxygenation of Lignin to Alkanes Using Ru‐Based Bimetallic and Bifunctional Catalysts Supported on Zeolite Y, ChemSusChem 2017, 10(8), 1846-1856.
[2] H. Wang, M. Feng, B. Yang, Catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of anisole: an insight into the role of metals in transalkylation reactions in bio-oil upgrading, Green Chemistry 2017, 19, 1668-1673.