Thermochemical conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals: a review of catalysts, catalyst stability, and reaction mechanisms

Woody biomass can be converted into a synthesis gas, a mixture of H2, CO, and CO2, by gasification. Removal of refractory tars, produced during biomass gasification, requires highly active catalysts that can be applied in-situ during gasification or in secondary catalytic tar cracking reactors. Subsequently, the water-gas-shift (WGS) reaction adjusts the H2 to CO ratio, prior to the synthesis of the desired products (CH4 as renewable natural gas or RNG, alcohols, hydrocarbons, and olefins). Catalysts play a pivotal role in all processing steps, with recent advances in catalyst development discussed herein with an emphasis on catalyst stability, reaction mechanisms, and structure-activity relationships. The economic viability of biomass conversion to fuels and chemicals is also reviewed and shown to be dependent on end-product, location, and government incentives.

Automated summary

This article introduces the conversion of woody biomass into synthesis gas through gasification and the use of catalysts to remove tars and adjust product ratios. Catalysts play a crucial role in all processing steps, and recent advances in catalyst development, including stability, reaction mechanisms, and structure-activity relationships, are discussed. The economic viability of biomass conversion to fuels and chemicals is also evaluated.