NiFe/γ-Al2O3: A universal catalyst for the hydrodeoxygenation of bio-oil and its model compounds

NiFe bimetallic catalyst shows an excellent activity and selectivity for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of three typical model compounds of bio-oil. The conversion of furfuryl alcohol, benzene alcohol and ethyl oenanthate is 100, 95.48 and 97.89% at 400 degrees C and the yield to 2-methylfuran, toluene and heptane is 98.85, 93.49 and 96.11% at 0.1 ml/min flow speed and atmospheric pressure. It indicates that the major reaction pathway is the cleavage of C-O rather than C-C. After the catalytic HDO of bio-oil over NiFe/Al2O3 catalyst, the heating value changes from 37.8 to 43.9 MJ/kg, the pH changes from 6.65 to 7.50. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.