Catalytic upgrading of co-pyrolysis oils from bisphenol A polycarbonate and lignins

Co-pyrolysis of bisphenol A polycarbonate with lignoboost (regular and modified) lignin from softwood and with organosolv lignin from hardwood was performed in a semi-batch reactor at 500 °C and self-generated pressure. Catalytic upgrading was performed at 300 °C over MCM-41 and SBA-15 catalysts. The effect consisted in conversion of bisphenol A into phenol and its light derivatives. Hydrogenation occurred during upgrading based on the hydrocarbons converted into coke on the surface of catalysts. The Al-MCM41 with Si/Al ratio of 16 (MCM16) and Al-SBA-15 with Si/Al ratio of 48 (SBA 48) catalysts had similar effects for the lignoboost lignins, with slight advantage for the MCM16 in the case of regular lignoboost while MCM16 was clearly the best one for the organosolv lignin in converting the heavier compounds into lighter ones.