Aqueous-phase catalytic process for production of pentane from furfural over nickel-based catalysts

Supported nickel catalysts for aqueous-phase catalytic hydrogenation/dehydration of furfural were prepared using impregnation method with different supporting materials. Effects of supporting materials, nickel loading and reaction temperature on conversion rate of furfural as well as selectivity for desired product C5 were systematically studied. Experiments showed that catalytic activity of Ni/SiO2–Al2O3 was obviously higher than that of Ni/γ-Al2O3. The conversion of furfural over 14 wt.%Ni/SiO2–Al2O3 catalyst was 62.99% under the temperature of 140 °C and the cold pressure of H2 3.0 MPa, while that was 19.19% over 14 wt.%Ni/γ-Al2O3 under the same conditions. Conversion rate of furfural increased with temperature, but selectivity for desired product decreased with temperature. Tentative reaction mechanisms of hydrogenation/dehydration were proposed. In order to investigate catalyst recyclability, a batch of Ni/SiO2–Al2O3 was reused three times and analyzed by Thermogravimetry (TG). It was found that considerable amount of coke formed on Ni/SiO2–Al2O3 surface and deteriorated its activity dramatically after second use.