The Influence of Nickel Phosphide On the Fractional Catalytic Pyrolysis of Hybrid Poplar Wood

The pyrolytic conversion of biomass to into liquid fuels has the potential to become drop-in transportation fuels if some of its negative attributes such as high total acid number (TAN), high viscosity,  and poor storage stability are overcome.  We investigated nickel phosphide supported on fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts.  The pyrolysis was conducted in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor using multiple pyrolysis media comprising supported nickel phosphide and  kaolin.  The reaction was conducted at 450 C and the run lasted for about one hour.  The total liquid yield was 40 wt% and the water  yield was 15 wt%.  the char/coke yield was 22.5 wt% and gas yield was 22 wt%.  The C-nmr analysis of the fractional catalytic pyrolysis oils showed high level ketone derived products compared to the control sample.  There was also significant cracking of the sugar derivatives.  Thus, the nickel phospide catalyst has a potential of improving the properties of the fractional catalytic pyrolysis oils.