• Energy Research
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Abstract We report a strategy for production of 5-nonanone which is a bio-based platform chemical that can be produced in large quantity from a variety of lignocellulosic biomass sources. In this strategy, the cellulose and hemicellulose fractions of lignocellulosic biomass are catalytically converted to γ -valerolactone (GVL) using the biomass derived GVL as a solvent. To generate the integrated strategy, we develop separation subsystems to achieve high purity of product. Importantly, GVL can be upgraded to 5-nonanone with high yield in a single reactor using a dual catalyst bed of Pd/Nb2O5 plus ceria-zirconia. We design a heat exchanger network to satisfy the total energy requirements of the integrated process via combusting lignin fraction of biomass. Economic feasibility of the process is investigated using discounted cash flow analysis.

AbstractPyrolysis of waste polystyrene to generate fuel was carried out to yield pyrolysis oil. For the first time, NiO deposited over ZrO2 carrier as catalyst, was deployed and evaluated in the catalytic pyrolysis. Catalysts based on different loading (2, 5, 10, and 15%) of NiO deposited over ZrO2 carrier were prepared by solution combustion synthesis and tested toward screening of catalytic pyrolysis of PS in semi batch reactor. Based on conversion, yield of oil and low styrene monomer content, the catalytic performance with different loadings was evaluated and optimized. Furthermore, the oil obtained from the best catalysts were analyzed using GC–MS for carbon number distribution, depolymerization reactions, and diesel fuel generation. These catalysts were also characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), pyridine FTIR, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. As compared to thermal pyrolysis, the catalytic pyrolysis process was found to be highly selective toward diesel like fuel generation with minimum styrene monomer formation. Also, 2 and 10% NiO catalyst showed the best catalytic performance in pyrolysis process that could be ascribed to the presence of Lewis and Brönsted acid sites resulting in selectivity for C16 carbon number, diesel fuel generation, and depolymerization reactions.