Bio‐oil upgrading via ketonization of carboxylic acids on Na promoted Ca/AlOx catalysts

Zichun Wang; Bjørnar Arstad; Leizhi Wang; Huajuan Ling; Jeffrey Shi; Catherine Stampfl; Yijiao Jiang; Jun Huang

doi:10.1002/cnl2.4

Carbon Neutralization (Jun 2022)

Bio‐oil upgrading via ketonization of carboxylic acids on Na promoted Ca/AlOx catalysts

Zichun Wang,
Bjørnar Arstad,
Leizhi Wang,
Huajuan Ling,
Jeffrey Shi,
Catherine Stampfl,
Yijiao Jiang,
Jun Huang

Affiliations

Zichun Wang: Faculty of Engineering, Laboratory for Catalysis Engineering, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sydney Nano Institute The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
Bjørnar Arstad: Department of Process Technology SINTEF Industry Oslo Norway
Leizhi Wang: Faculty of Engineering, Laboratory for Catalysis Engineering, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sydney Nano Institute The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
Huajuan Ling: Faculty of Engineering, Laboratory for Catalysis Engineering, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sydney Nano Institute The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
Jeffrey Shi: Faculty of Engineering, Laboratory for Catalysis Engineering, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sydney Nano Institute The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
Catherine Stampfl: Faculty of Science, School of Physics, Sydney Nano Institute The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
Yijiao Jiang: Department of Engineering Macquarie University Sydney New South Wales Australia
Jun Huang: Faculty of Engineering, Laboratory for Catalysis Engineering, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sydney Nano Institute The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cnl2.4
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 1, no. 1
pp. 14 – 25

Abstract

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Abstract Ketonization of carboxylic acids is valuable for bio‐oil upgrading and producing bio‐derived chemicals. Ca/AlOx metal oxides with various Ca/Al ratios have been prepared by the low‐cost and natural abundant metals in the process. The addition of alkaline or alkaline‐earth metals could significantly improve the activity of Ca/AlOx catalysts by base‐catalyzed ketonization of carboxylic acids. However, the active sites on alkaline‐metal‐doped Ca/AlOx catalysts are still under debate, and the commercialization of these catalysts often suffers from deactivation in long‐term use. Here Ca(Na)/AlOx catalysts with various Ca/Al molar ratios were prepared and evaluated for the ketonization of acetic acid. Sodium addition resulting in the formation of NaAlO2 has higher basicity than CaO. These strong basic sites could significantly promote the ketonization of acetic acid via the thermal decomposition of carboxylates. The Ca(Na)/AlOx catalyst with NaAlO2 populated on the surface could provide 100% acetone selectivity at the complete conversion of acetic acid at 400°C and exhibit no activity loss after a 400 h reaction, which is the most active and stable catalyst for ketonization reaction hitherto. These Ca(Na)/AlOx catalysts are also stable by adding major bio‐oil model compounds (e.g., phenol) into the reaction mixture, which are promising for future bio‐oil upgrading applications.

Published in Carbon Neutralization

ISSN: 2769-3333 (Print); 2769-3325 (Online)
Publisher: Wiley
Country of publisher: Australia
LCC subjects: Technology: Mechanical engineering and machinery: Renewable energy sources; Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Production of electric energy or power. Powerplants. Central stations
Website: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/27693325

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