Hydrocarbons from kraft pulp pre-hydrolysis liquors in two steps using heterogeneous catalysis

Valorizing industrial side-streams that are burnt to a low value are important to make biorefining more sustainable. In this work, hemicellulose obtained as a pre-hydrolysis liquor from kraft pulping was converted to furfural in a 19 wt% yield based on hemicellulose content in raw biomass using a beta zeolite as a catalyst. Furfural was then directly hydro-processed to yield pentane and higher hydrocarbons in 60%. It was found that a combination of Pd/C and ZSM-5 gave full hydrodeoxygenation. Depending on reaction conditions, aromatic or aliphatic compounds could be generated. By using pentane as a carrier liquid, a 100% renewable hydrocarbon stream is possible. Off gases, comprising

Automated summary

Valorizing industrial side-streams is essential for sustainable biorefining. This study converted hemicellulose from kraft pulping into furfural with a 19% yield and further processed furfural into pentane and higher hydrocarbons with a 60% yield. The combination of Pd/C and ZSM-5 catalysts achieved full hydrodeoxygenation, generating aromatic or aliphatic compounds depending on reaction conditions. Using pentane as a carrier liquid enables a 100% renewable hydrocarbon stream.