Bio-catalytic upgrading of heavy and pyrolysis oils: optioneering of fossil, biorefined, and renewable resources.

Life-cycle analysis has been carried out of the catalytic upgrading of heavy fossil oil and pyrolysis oils from dry biomasses for the production of liquid fuel. Commercial catalysts and bio-precious metal catalysts refined from secondary waste sources are compared. Economically, it was found to be more feasible to use commercial catalysts for pyrolysis oil upgrading, as the ecological impacts of upgrading with bio-precious metal neo-catalysts must be decreased. Precious metal recovery with aqua regia leachate needs further optimisation of the catalyst to oil ratio to decrease costs. However, bio-precious metal neo-catalysts are highly competitive for heavy oil upgrading, both economically and ecologically, due to their competitive 0.1% C/O requirements. Advancements in bio-precious metal neo-catalyst synthesis are required to reduce production costs, in addition to further work regarding lower pyrolysis oil to bio-catalyst ratios and CO2 balances. Liquefaction of algae and agricultural slurries, which do not need intensive drying stages, would provide an alternative comparison for bio-oil production.
Life-cycle analysis has been carried out of the catalytic upgrading of heavy fossil oil and pyrolysis oils from dry biomasses for the production of liquid fuel. Commercial catalysts and bio-precious metal catalysts refined from secondary waste sources are compared. Economically, it was found to be more feasible to use commercial catalysts for pyrolysis oil upgrading, as the ecological impacts of upgrading with bio-precious metal neo-catalysts must be decreased. Precious metal recovery with aqua regia leachate needs further optimisation of the catalyst to oil ratio to decrease costs. However, bio-precious metal neo-catalysts are highly competitive for heavy oil upgrading, both economically and ecologically, due to their competitive 0.1% C/O requirements. Advancements in bio-precious metal neo-catalyst synthesis are required to reduce production costs, in addition to further work regarding lower pyrolysis oil to bio-catalyst ratios and CO2 balances. Liquefaction of algae and agricultural slurries, which do not need intensive drying stages, would provide an alternative comparison for bio-oil production.