Upgrading of Anisole in a Catalytic Pulsed Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Reactor

A new strategy for bio-oils upgrading with a catalytic pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor was investigated for the conversion of anisole, a compound representative of the bio-oils formed by pyrolysis of lignin. The anisole conversion was measured with plasma alone and also in the presence of Al2O3 and various Al2O3-supported catalysts, leading to the formation of benzene, phenol, 4-methylanisole, 2-methylanisole, 4-methylphenol, 2-methylphenol, 2,6-dimethylphenol, and cyclohexane. Results are presented in the form of specific input energy (SIE), anisole conversion, and product selectivities. The conversion decreased in the following order when these catalysts were used: Mo-Ni/Al2O3 > Pt/Al2O3 > Co-Mo/Al2O3 > Pt-Re/Al2O3 > Al2O3. The conversion increased with increasing mass of the Mo-Ni/Al2O3 catalyst and with increasing voltage; the highest anisole conversion (0.81) was observed with this catalyst, and the conversion under comparable conditions without a catalyst was 0.43. The predominant product was 4-methylanisole. Catalyst deactivation was minimized by the plasma.