Abstract
Flash pyrolysis (FP) is an efficient thermochemical route to convert biomass in bio-oils. Bio-oils are energetic and material renewable vectors with a high potential to replace fossil fuel. Nevertheless, bio-oils are high oxygenated and acidic liquids with a high content of solid particles. These particular physico-chemical properties are the main drawbacks that hinder the development of industrials bio-oil applications. The main goal of this work has been to upgrade the quality of flash pyrolysis oils. To reach this goal, we developed an ex-situ post-treatment unit composed of: a hot has filter unit (HGF) and a fixed bed catalytic reactor.Firstly, several experimental campaigns, conducted at laboratory and pilot scale, shown the impact of three HGF parameters (HGF temperature, HGF char thickness, and inorganic content of raw biomass) in the nature and extension of secondary reactions inside the HGF unit. In addition, limitations concerning to long-term process operation of HGF units were identified. Secondly, the catalytic activity of several materials in the form of pellets was investigated. Micro porous zeolite HMFI-90 showed a high activity on the conversion of light oxygenated molecules such as: acids, aldehydes and ketones. A parametric study allowed us to identify a compromise between the rise in the energy content of catalytic bio-oils and the loss in the organic yield. Lastly, taking into consideration the complex (multicomponent and multiphase) composition of FP vapors we explored a new cascade catalytic strategy. For that, we first tested a new catalyst formulation based on iron nanoparticles supported on hierarchical porous gamma-alumina pellets (Fe/bi-Al2O3). Then, we used both catalyst (zeolite HMFI90 and Fe/bi-Al2O3) in a cascade configuration. Our results suggested that this new cascade strategy could enhance the overall catalyst treatment performance.