in situ catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulose using alkali-modified amorphous silica alumina

canadian pinewood was pyrolyzed at 450 °c in an infrared oven and the pyrolysis vapors were converted by passing through a catalyst bed at 450 °c. the catalysts studied were amorphous silica alumina (asa) containing alkali metal or alkaline earth metal species including na, k, cs, mg and ca. the catalysts effectiveness to reduce the bio-oil oxygen content, to enhance the bio-oil energy density and to change the liquid and gas product distribution were evaluated using different techniques including gravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, karl–fischer titration, gc/ms and micro-gc analysis. according to the results k/asa found to be the most effective catalysts for conversion of hollocellulose (hemicellulose and cellulose)-derived vapors of pinewood while cs/asa catalyst was the most effective catalyst for conversion of lignin-derived vapors and production of hydrocarbons.