Conversion of Biomass-Derived Oxygen-Containing Intermediates into Chemical Raw Materials with Zeolite

Abstract

To establish a new production route of biomass-derived BTX and propylene, the catalytic conversion of oxygen-containing intermediates which are furfural, levulinic acid, acetic acid or butyric acid, obtained by hydrothermal reactions of bagasse or fermentation of molasses was investigated with zeolites, ZSM-5, SAPO-11 and SAPO-34. Levulinic acid and acetic acid were suitable for generating BTX with ZSM-5. On the other hand, the butyric acid was valuable for converting to chemical raw materials with ZSM-5. By using SAPO-11 as the catalyst, butyric acid converted to propylene at high yields. The yield for propylene was the maximum value 58.8C% at 723K, especially the ratio of propylene to gaseous hydrocarbon products increased up to 90.4C%.

Parametric Study of Pt/C-Catalysed Hydrothermal Decarboxylation of Butyric Acid as a Potential Route for Biopropane Production

“…Short-chain carboxylic acids (VFAs) can similarly undergo decarboxylation to produce light alkane or alkene gases that can be used as fuels or chemical feedstock. Goshima et al [1] reported the formation of propylene from butyric acid in the presence of zeolite catalysts. However, for energy application, C 1 -C 4 light alkanes are of commercial importance as clean-burning fuels (especially, methane, propane and butane in liquefied or compressed fuel gases) [21] or for the hydrogen production via steam reforming (methane) [22].…”

“…There is a growing interest in the production of sustainable hydrocarbons from renewable bio-derived feedstocks (e.g., woody biomass, energy crops, vegetable oils, animal fats and other organic wastes and residues) for use as fuels and chemical feedstocks [1,2], proposed as a route to defossilisation of carbon-based chemicals and the energy sector. Essentially, the near-term target is to produce hydrocarbons from biomass that can be used as direct replacement for those derived from fossil fuels.…”

“…Essentially, the near-term target is to produce hydrocarbons from biomass that can be used as direct replacement for those derived from fossil fuels. Different biomass-derived feedstocks are currently being targeted for hydrocarbon production including fats and oils [3], sugars and sugar-derived intermediates such as furans, furfural, 5-hydromethylfufural, alcohols and carboxylic acids [1,4], bio-oil from biomass pyrolysis and bio-crude from hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass [5]. Chemical products that are directly derived from biomass contain oxygen, and various routes are being explored to convert these oxygenrich feedstocks into hydrocarbons.…”

“…Production of hydrocarbons from these feedstocks mainly involves hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), which relies heavily of external expensive molecular hydrogen supply [5,6]. However, there are great benefits in making bio-derived hydrocarbons that can be used as industrial feedstocks for the production of a variety of chemical products that are currently made from fossil-derived hydrocarbons such as fuel-range alkanes [3,7]; alkenes used as chemical feedstocks [1]; and benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX) for pharmaceuticals, household goods and fuel additives [4].…”

A Comprehensive Review on Zeolite Chemistry for Catalytic Conversion of Biomass/Waste into Green Fuels

“…Goshima et al (2014) stated that hydrothermal reactions of fermenting molasses or bagasse demonstrated the catalytic transformation of oxygen possessing biomass intermediates, such as butyric acid, acetic acid, levulinic acid, and furfural. Zeolites such as SAPO-34, SAPO-11, and ZSM-5 were examined to convert biomass derivatives propylene and BTX [ 115 ]. For generation of BTX with the aid of ZSM-5, acetic acid and levulinic acid were found to be appropriate.…”