RENEWABLE FUELS VIA BIO-OIL UPGRADING BY PLASMA REACTOR

Lignocellulosic biomass is a promising source of renewable energy and valuable chemicals. The condensed liquid obtained through pyrolysis is popularly called bio-oil. In this article, an atmospheric non-thermal dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor was used as a novel tool for upgrading of bio-oil using 4-methylanisole as a model compound of lignin and production renewable fuels. The influences of different voltage (7, 8 and 9kV) on the performance of the reactor were carefully studied. The reaction network for upgrading of 4-methylanisole was proposed based on the plasma reaction mechanisms and observed distribution of products. It was found that the upgrading of 4-methylanisole involved demethylation, methyl group transfer, and hydrogenation (or dehydrogenation) reactions. It is believed that, in all experiments, phenoxy radical was formed as the primary product of anisole dissociation via electron-attack reactions. Moreover, the most abundant product was 4-methylphenol (p-cresol) which was formed by free-radical reaction between phenoxy and H radicals. The 4-methylanisole conversion was measured with non-thermal plasma leading to the formation of benzene, phenol, 2-methylphenol, 4-methylphenol, 2,4-dimethylphenol, 2,6-trimethylphenol, 4-ethylphenol and trimethylphenol. Results of are presented in the form of specific input energy (SIE), 4-methylanisole conversion and selectivity. The highest 4-methylanisole conversion was observed 0.51. The results imply that the DBD plasma reactor is a promising tool for achieve to fuels via upgrading of bio-oil (4-methylaniole).

Keywords:

Biomass , Bio-oil , 4-methylanisole , Upgrading , Non-thermal plasma , Fuel