Coprocessing of Catalytic-Pyrolysis-Derived Bio-Oil with VGO in a Pilot-Scale FCC Riser

A catalytic-pyrolysis-derived bio-oil, which was characterized by higher H/C-eff ratio and lower oxygen content in comparison to fast-pyrolysis-derived bio-oil, was coprocessed with VGO in a pilot-scale FCC riser. The addition of the bio-oil up to 10 wt % gave nearly equivalent oxygenate content and also similar selectivities of gasoline, bottom oil, and coke compared to those in VGO catalytic cracking alone, suggesting the catalytic-pyrolysis-derived bio-oil was a suitable feedstock for FCC coprocessing. However, the dry gas, including hydrogen and light alkane, was significantly decreased in the coprocessing experiment mainly because of the hydrogen transfer between bio-oil and VGO. Radiocarbon analysis of the product showed that 7% carbon of gasoline was derived from the bio-oil when 10 wt % bio-oil was added to VGO. The coprocessing of biomass catalytic pyrolysis and FCC was highly promising for biomass conversion into biofuel.