Catalytic HDO of pyrolysis oil in supercritical ethanol with CoMoP and CoMoW catalysts supported on different carbon materials using formic acid as in-situ hydrogen sources.

The work investigated performances of several CoMoP and CoMoW catalysts supported on different carbon materials in catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of pyrolysis oil in supercritical ethanol using formic acid as an in-situ hydrogen source. Among them, the CoMoP catalyst supported on ZnCl 2 activated sawdust carbon (ASC-Zn) and the CoMoW catalyst supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) showed the best HDO performance at both 300 °C and 350 °C for 2 h, obtaining higher upgraded oil yield, lower oxygen contents of the upgraded oils, and higher degrees of deoxygenation (DOD). Whereas the stability tests with three HDO cycles showed that both catalysts were slightly deactivated likely by active metals leach-out or coke/carbon deposition on active sites of the catalysts. [Display omitted] • CoMoP & CoMoW catalysts supported on different carbon materials were synthesized. • HDO of pyrolysis oil in supercritical ethanol with in-situ H 2 source was studied. • CoMoW/MWNTs and CoMoP/ASC-Zn exhibited the best performance. • These two catalysts achieved 84% and 86% degree of deoxygenation at 350 °C. • Future improvement on the catalyst stability/reusability is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]