Conversion of Prairie Cordgrass to Hydrocarbon Biofuel over Co‐Mo/HZSM‐5 Using a Two‐Stage Reactor System

A series of Co‐Mo/HZSM‐5 catalysts was prepared using an impregnation method for the thermal conversion of prairie cordgrass (PCG). The catalysts were characterized by BET measurements, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, and TEM. The Co‐Mo/HZSM‐5 catalysts were tested in the thermal conversion of PCG to produce hydrocarbon biofuel in a two‐stage catalytic pyrolysis system. The products were analyzed and included incondensable gas, bio‐oil, and biochar. Compared to non‐catalytically obtained bio‐oil, the chemical composition, water content, higher heating value, viscosity, and density of the catalytic bio‐oils were improved. The results indicated that 4 %Mo‐2 %Co/HZSM‐5 showed a robust ability in the catalytic cracking of PCG with the highest yield of hydrocarbons at 41.08 %. Little catalyst on the prairie: Bifunctional Co‐Mo/HZSM‐5 catalysts with different Co/Mo ratios are used to covert prairie cordgrass to hydrocarbon biofuel in a two‐stage catalytic reactor system. The catalysts are characterized by BET measurements, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, and TEM. The results show that the 2 %Mo‐4 %Co/HZSM‐5 catalyst generated upgraded bio‐oil with the highest hydrocarbon content at 41.08 %.