Biomass Hydropyrolysis in a Fluidized Bed Reactor

Catalytic hydropyrolysis of loblolly pine was, studied in a high-pressure fluidized bed reactor using a NiMo hydrotreating catalyst. Hydropyrolysis temperature (375-475 degrees C) influenced the product distribution, product composition, H-2 consumption, and process carbon efficiency. The material balances ranged from 84% to 106% with an average of 91%. The organic liquid yields including C-4-C-6 gases ranged from 20 wt % to 24 wt %, and the gas yields were between 11 and 27 wt %. The yield of the solids varied from 8 wt % to 26 wt %. Catalyst stability was studied at 450 degrees C and 20.68 bar (300 psig) total pressure with 40 vol % H-2 for 10 days. The organic liquid product yield (22.5 +/- 1.35 wt %) and quality (2.8 +/- 1 wt % O) were consistent over 10 days of experiments with the same catalyst exposed to daily hydropyrolysis, regeneration, and reduction cycles indicating stable and steady-state catalyst performance over this tithe period.