Hydrodeoxygenation of Vapor Anisole over Nickel/Cobalt and Alumina/Zeolite Supported Catalysts

Anisole (methoxybenzene) often serves as a potent biomass model compound in hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reactions with the primary aim to underpin conditions and operations that facilitate conversion of bio-oil into non-oxygenated fuel. However, the majority of studies in literature has focused on its HDO in a solvent environment under excessive conditions of high hydrogen flow rate and elevated pressures. Herein, we investigate HDO of an evaporated stream anisole on a continues flow reactor over four combination of Ni/Co catalysts supported on Zeolite or Al₂O₃. Catalysts were characterized by various methods which span XRD, SEM-EDS and TPR. The reaction was carried out between 300–600 °C. The highest conversion at 87% was acquired using the Ni–Co/Zeolite catalyst (87%) while producing high yield of phenols and cresols. Synergistic effects brought by the incorporation of Co in the lattice of the catalyst has been discussed. Overall, we obtained a viable HDO path for this biomass model compound using combination of different supported catalysts at moderate operational conditions (relatively intermediate temperatures, ambient pressure, and low H₂/Feed ratio). Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)