Multi-functional catalyst composition for the conversion of biomass

Abstract

A process is disclosed for the conversion of cellulosic biomass, in particular ligno-cellulosic biomass. The process comprises heating the biomass to a conversion temperature in the range of from 200 to 500° C. in the presence of a catalyst system. The catalyst system comprises a basic functionality comprising an alkali metal component and a multivalent metal component. The catalyst system optionally further comprises an acidic component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for the catalytic pyrolysis of cellulosic biomass, said process comprising heating the cellulosic biomass to a conversion temperature in the range of from 200° C. to 500° C. in the presence of a catalyst system, characterized in that the catalyst system comprises a basic functionality, said basic functionality comprising an alkali metal component and a multivalent metal component. 
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the multivalent component comprises a divalent metal, a trivalent metal, or a combination of a divalent metal and a trivalent metal. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the multivalent metal component comprises a hydrotalcite, a hydrotalcite-like material, an anionic clay, a mixed metal oxide, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The process of any one of the preceding claims wherein the alkali metal component comprises an alkali metal carbonate. 
     
     
         5 . The process of any one of the preceding claims wherein the alkali metal component and the multivalent metal component are combined in a catalyst particle. 
     
     
         6 . The process of any one of the preceding claims wherein the catalyst system further comprises an acidic component. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6  wherein the acidic component comprises a solid acid. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 7  wherein the acidic component comprises a zeolite, a silica-alumina, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8  wherein the zeolite comprises a ZSM-zeolite, a Y-zeolite, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 9  wherein the zeolite comprises ZSM-5. 
     
     
         11 . The process of any one of the preceding claims wherein the conversion temperature is in the range of from 250° C. to 400° C., preferably from 300° C. to 380° C. 
     
     
         12 . The process of any one of the preceding claims wherein the cellulosic biomass is heated to the conversion temperature in a fluid bed reactor. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12  wherein at least part of the catalyst system acts as a heat carrier. 
     
     
         14 . The process of any one of the preceding claims wherein the cellulosic biomass is contacted with at least one component of the catalyst system in a pretreatment step. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the pretreatment step comprises impregnating the cellulosic biomass with a solution of a component of the catalyst system. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 14  or  15  wherein the pretreatment comprises mechanically treating the cellulosic biomass in the presence of a component of the catalyst system in particulate form. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 16  wherein the mechanical treatment comprises milling, grinding, kneading, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The process of any one of the preceding claims wherein the cellulosic biomass is of aquatic origin. 
     
     
         19 . The process of any one of  claims 1 - 17  wherein the cellulosic biomass comprises a ligno-cellulosic biomass. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19  wherein the lignocellulosic biomass is an energy crop material, an agricultural waste material, or a forestry waste material. 
     
     
         21 . The process of any one of the preceding claim wherein the catalyst system comprises catalyst particles, said catalyst particles comprising all components of the catalyst system.