Hydroliquefaction of Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Sulfided NiMo Catalyst
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermochemical liquefaction processes of lignocellulosic biomass, such as pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction, result in bio-oils with high oxygen content, acidity, and instability, leading to repolymerization, char formation, and corrosiveness, which complicates storage, handling, and upgrading to hydrocarbon fuels.
Innovation Solution
A novel hydroliquefaction process that operates at unexpectedly low temperatures (270° C. to 350° C.) using an amorphous and unsupported sulfided nickel-molybdenum catalyst, along with a co-feed and a stoichiometric amount of hydrogen, to convert lignocellulosic materials into an organic liquefaction product with reduced oxygen content and acidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pyrolysis or HTL is used to convert lignocellulosic biomass to bio-oil, then liquid product is obtained, but the product has high oxygen content and acidity leading to corrosiveness and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the bio-oil by conducting hydrodeoxygenation to reduce oxygen content from 20-40% to below 10%, and adjusting pH from 2-3 to above 4, thereby reducing corrosiveness and improving stability while maintaining liquid product yield
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes oxygen-containing compounds and acidic components from the bio-oil through hydrodeoxygenation treatment, separating these harmful elements from the desired liquid hydrocarbon products
2Quantity of substance
If conventional hydroprocessing is used to upgrade bio-oil, then hydrocarbon fuels are produced, but high temperatures above 400°C and high pressures of 180 bars are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using a novel catalyst system that enables hydrodeoxygenation at temperatures of 200-400°C and pressures of 30-150 bars, significantly lower than conventional conditions, while maintaining effective hydrocarbon fuel production
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a specific catalyst as an intermediary substance that facilitates the hydrodeoxygenation reaction at milder conditions, acting as a mediator between the bio-oil and hydrogen to achieve conversion without requiring extreme temperatures and pressures
3Productivity
If tetralin is used as co-feed to facilitate biomass liquefaction, then conversion efficiency is improved, but process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the requirement for tetralin co-feed by using an alternative catalyst system that can achieve effective biomass liquefaction with simpler, more economical co-feeds or without additional hydrogen donors
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive tetralin with cheaper, more readily available co-feeds that achieve similar or better conversion efficiency, reducing process complexity and operational costs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process achieves a more thermally stable and less corrosive organic liquefaction product with low oxygen content, enabling easier integration into conventional refineries and reducing energy consumption and costs.
Implementation Method 1
an amorphous and unsupported sulfided nickel-molybdenum catalyst
Implementation Method 2
the mixture is subjected to not less than a stoichiometric amount of hydrogen, elevated pressure and a temperature within the range of from 270° C. and up to but not including 350° C.
Implementation Method 3
converting lignocellulosic starting materials into an organic liquefaction product with reduced oxygen content and acidity
Data Source
AI summary
Lignocellulosic starting materials can be converted into an organic liquefaction product in a hydroliquefaction process by subjecting a mixture of a lignocellulosic starting material, an amorphous and unsupported sulfided nickel-molybdenum catalyst and a co-feed, to not less than a stoichiometric amount of hydrogen, elevated pressure and a temperature within the range of from 270° C. and up to but not including 350° C.