Hydrotreatment of the carbohydrate-rich fraction of pyrolysis liquids using bimetallic Ni based catalyst: Catalyst activity and product property relations

The use of novel nickel based catalysts for the catalytic hydrotreatment of pyrolytic sugars, the carbohydrate-rich fraction of pine derived pyrolysis liquids, is reported. The catalysts are characterized by a high nickel loading (38 to 57wt%), promoted by Cu, Pd, and/or Mo and a SiO2 based inorganic matrix. Experiments were carried out at 180°C and 120bar initial hydrogen pressure (room temperature) in a batch reactor set-up to gain insight in catalyst activity and product properties as a function of the catalyst composition. The most promising catalyst in terms of activity, as measured by the hydrogen uptake during reaction, was the Ni-Mo/SiO2-Al2O3 catalyst whereas the performance of the monometallic Ni/SiO2-Al2O3 catalyst was the lowest. As a result, the product oil obtained by the bimetallic Ni-Mo catalyst showed the highest H/C ratio and the lowest molecular weight of all catalysts tested. A detailed catalyst characterization study revealed that addition of Mo to the Ni catalyst suppresses the agglomeration of nickel nanoparticles during the catalytic hydrotreatment reaction. •Catalytic hydrotreatment of the sugar fraction of pyrolysis oils has been investigated.•Bimetallic Ni based catalysts with a high Ni content were used.•Best results were obtained using a Mo promoted catalyst.•Aldehydes and ketones in the sugar fraction are effectively reduced at mild conditions.