Catalytic
Hydrotreatment of Alcell Lignin Using Supported
Ru, Pd, and Cu Catalysts
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Abstract
A catalyst screening study on the
catalytic hydrotreatment of Alcell
lignin in a batch setup was performed using supported Ru (C, Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>,TiO<sub>2</sub>), Pd (C, Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>), and a Cu/ZrO<sub>2</sub> catalyst with the objective to
determine the best catalyst for high yields of biobased aromatics
and alkylphenolics. Experiments were performed at 400 °C, 4 h
reaction time and an initial hydrogen pressure of 100 bar. Best results
were obtained with Ru/TiO<sub>2</sub> and a lignin oil (78 wt % on
lignin intake) with 9.1 wt % alkylphenolics, 2.5 wt % aromatics, and
3.5 wt % catechols on lignin intake were obtained. The reaction products
were characterized using advanced GC×GC-FID and GC×GC-TOFMS
techniques in combination with GPC, <sup>13</sup>C NMR, and GC–MS-FID
measurements. Systematic studies with the Ru/C catalysts using variable
batch times (0–8 h, 400 °C, and an initial hydrogen pressure
of 100 bar) gave insights in the reaction pathways occurring during
the catalytic hydrotreatment and these include depolymerization, hydrogenation,
hydrodeoxygenation, and dehydration reactions