Hydrodeoxygenation of Xylose Isopropylidene Ketal Over Pd/HBEA Catalyst for the Production of Green Fuels

Abstract

1,2:3,5-Di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-xylofuranose (DX) is a major component of a new bio-crude: a viscous oil presenting petroleum-friendly properties produced by the ketalization of sugarcane bagasse. This article studies DX HDO (hydrodeoxygenation) over a Pd/HBEA catalyst in a batch reactor at 250°C. The effects of hydrogen pressure from 10 to 40 bar, catalyst/DX ratio from ½ to 2, and reaction time 0–24 h were investigated. A range of conditions for complete hydrodeoxygenated DX into alkanes with a Pd/HBEA catalyst was found. In these conditions, a low coke yield with water as the principal deoxygenated product was obtained. Further, higher amounts of alkanes containing seven or more carbons (A7+) were favored at 30 bar of hydrogen pressure, Cat/DX ratio = 2, and short reaction time. Products analysis that accompanied the above variations during reaction time led to general insights into reaction pathways. First, in the presence of DX, an effective n-hexane conversion was not observed on experiments of low catalyst/DX ratio (½) or in the initial period of high Cat/DX ratio, suggesting DX is much more successful than n-hexane to compete for active sites. Then, the formation of a pool of oxygenated compounds, such as furans, ketones, and carboxylic acids, along with lighter and heavier alkanes was observed. Hence, the aforementioned oxygenates may undergo reactions, such as aldol condensation with subsequent hydrodeoxygenation reaction, generating heavier alkanes.