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Biomass Conversion to Produce Hydrocarbon Liquid Fuel Via Hot-vapor Filtered Fast Pyrolysis and Catalytic Hydrotreating
Published on: December 25, 2016
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Reducing Coke and Increasing Bio-Oil Yield during Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis of Biomass Using Phosphorus-Modified
Cody J Wrasman1, Brittney E Petel1, Carson Pierce1
1National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States.
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
|December 19, 2025
Summary
Phosphorus modification of ZSM-5 catalysts enhances catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) of biomass. This improves bio-oil production for transportation fuels, reducing costs and increasing carbon efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Biomass Conversion
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) offers a route to convert biomass into transportation fuels.
- Improving bio-oil yield and process economics requires advanced catalyst development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of phosphorus modification on ZSM-5 catalysts for CFP.
- To optimize catalyst performance for increased bio-oil production and reduced undesirable byproducts.
Main Methods:
- Post-synthetic modification of ZSM-5 with phosphorus.
- Microscale and semi-integrated CFP experiments.
- Catalyst characterization (e.g., acid site density analysis).
Main Results:
- Phosphorus modification reduced coke and light gas formation.
- Optimal phosphorus loading (2.5 wt%) was identified.
- Increased bio-oil yield by 11% (carbon yield to aviation fuel).
Conclusions:
- Targeted modification of ZSM-5 acidity with phosphorus significantly improves CFP efficiency.
- Reduced minimum fuel selling price by 14% demonstrates economic feasibility.
- P-ZSM-5 is a promising catalyst for sustainable fuel production from biomass.
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