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Catalysis for conversion of biomass to fuels via pyrolysis and gasification: A review

  • University of Limerick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A current aim of society is to produce fuels from non-food biomass and catalysis is central to achieving this aim. Catalytic steam-reforming of biomass gives synthesis gas and this can be further transformed to give transport fuels using catalysis. Biofuels and fuel additives can also be obtained by catalytic upgrading of bio-oil produced by non-catalytic pyrolysis of biomass. This upgrading can be performed by low temperature esterification with alcohols (followed by water separation) or by high temperature gasification, cracking or hydrotreating processes. Upgraded bio-oil can also be obtained by pyrolysis of biomass in the presence of catalysts. This review considers recent trends in the chemistry of these processes for biofuel production and the catalysts used.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalCatalysis Today
Volume171
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Aug 2011

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

  • Bio-oil
  • Biomass
  • Catalysts
  • Cracking
  • Esterification
  • Fuels
  • Gasification
  • Hydrotreating
  • Pyrolysis

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