Transformation of oxygenate components of biomass pyrolysis oil on a HZSM-5 zeolite. I. Alcohols and phenols

The effects of temperature and space time on the transformation over a HZSM-5 zeolite catalyst of several model components of the liquid product obtained by the flash pyrolysis of vegetable biomass (1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, phenol, and 2-methoxyphenol) have been studied. The transformation of alcohols follows a route similar to that of methanol and ethanol toward the formation of hydrocarbon constituents of the lumps of gasoline and light olefins. Phenol and 2-methoxyphenol have a low reactivities to hydrocarbons, and the deposition of coke of thermal origin caused by the condensation of 2-methoxyphenol is noticeable. The generation of catalytic coke and the deactivation by this cause attenuate as the space time and water content in the feed are increased. To avoid the irreversible deactivation of the HZSM-5 zeolite, operations must be carried out at a temperature below 400 degreesC. Above this temperature, the increase in product aromaticity is also significant.