Ex-Situ Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis of Wood Chips Over Lamellar Mfi Zeolite Supported Nickel Catalyst

Lamellar MFI zeolite and lamellar MFI zeolite supported nickel were synthesized and examined for ex-situ catalytic upgrading of the vapors (without using any fluidized gases such as N2 and H2) resulted from fast pyrolysis of wood chips in comparison to its commercial MFI zeolite and its supported nickel counterparts. Pyrolysis tests were carried out using a catalytic augur reactor at atmospheric pressure, while pyrolysis unit was operating at 450 °C and upgrading unit at 420 °C, respectively. The introduction of nickel with a high dispersion over the zeolitic supports caused a significant increase in the products of aromatic compounds. Moreover, the addition of nickel to zeolite supports changed their acidity and decreased the total number of acid sites and the ratio of Brønsted to Lewis acid sites as determined by pyridine-FTIR spectroscopy. The use of lamellar zeolite catalysts increased the efficiency of catalytic cracking of pyrolysis vapors and their modification with nickel helped tuning the Lewis acidity to further increase catalytic cracking which resulted in a higher yield of the low molecular weight aromatics present in the bio-oil.