Conversion of Prairie Cordgrass to Hydrocarbon Biofuel over Co-Mo/HZSM-5 Using a Two-Stage Reactor System

A series of Co-Mo/HZSM-5 catalysts was prepared using an impregnation method for the thermal conversion of prairie cordgrass (PCG). The catalysts were characterized by BET measurements, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, and TEM. The Co-Mo/HZSM-5 catalysts were tested in the thermal conversion of PCG to produce hydrocarbon biofuel in a two-stage catalytic pyrolysis system. The products were analyzed and included incondensable gas, bio-oil, and biochar. Compared to non-catalytically obtained bio-oil, the chemical composition, water content, higher heating value, viscosity, and density of the catalytic bio-oils were improved. The results indicated that 4% Mo-2% Co/HZSM-5 showed a robust ability in the catalytic cracking of PCG with the highest yield of hydrocarbons at 41.08%.