The production of gasoline range hydrocarbons from Alcell (R) lignin usingHZSM-5 catalyst

The conversion of a solvolysis lignin to useful chemicals and fuels was inv estigated using HZSM-5 catalyst. The study was carried out in a fixed bed r eactor operating at atmospheric pressure. over a temperature range of 500 d egrees C-650 degrees C, and weight hourly space velocities of 2.5 to 7.5 h( -1). The major objective was to investigate the use of HZSM-5 catalyst in t he production of both liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products directly from the lignin. Conversion was high and ranged between 50% and 85% for the rea ction conditions used. Using a WHSV of 5 h(-1), the liquid product (LP) yie ld was 39 wt.% at 500 degrees C but decreased to 34 wt.% at 600 degrees C a nd then to 11 wt.% at 650 degrees C. The highest yield of liquid product (4 3 wt.%) was obtained at 550 degrees C with a WHSV of 5 h(-1). In all the ex periments, the liquid product mainly consisted of aromatic hydrocarbons (mo stly benzene, toluene and xylene - with toluene dominating). The yield of t oluene increased from 31 wt.% of the liquid product at 600 degrees C (WHSV = 2.5 h(-1)) to 44 wt.% at 650 degrees C (WHSV = 5 h(-1)). The total gas yi eld increased dramatically with increasing temperature but only moderately with increasing WHSV. The yields of the major components in the gas stream (propane, ethylene, propylene, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide) were gre atly affected by temperature. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.