Catalytic hydrotreatment of fast pyrolysis oil using bimetallic Ni–Cu catalysts on various supports

Bimetallic Ni–Cu catalysts on various supports (CeO2–ZrO2, ZrO2, SiO2, TiO2, rice husk carbon, and Sibunite) with metal contents ranging from 7.5 to 9.0 (Ni) and 3.1–3.6 wt.% (Cu) for the inorganic supports and 17.1–17.8 (Ni) and 7.1–7.8 (Cu) for the carbon supports were synthesised and screened for the catalytic hydrotreatment of fast pyrolysis oil in a batch set-up (350 °C, 200 bar initial pressure). NiCu/TiO2 showed the highest activity (average activity of 576 NLhydrogen kgPO−1 gactive metal−1 for a 4 h batch time) and gave a product oil with the most favourable properties, viz. a H/C ratio of 1.43, a low TG residue (2.7 wt.%) and the highest solubility in a hydrocarbon solvent. The TiO2 based catalyst was characterised as having moderate leaching levels of Ni and Cu metals (Ti remained unchanged), low carbon deposition on the catalyst surface and limited metal sintering.

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► Catalytic hydrotreatment of pyrolysis oil was performed with NiCu catalysts.
► Various supports were tested (inorganic and carbon-based).
► Best results were obtained with a NiCu on a TiO2 support.
► Product properties were determined.
► Considerable improvements were observed compared to pyrolysis oil.