Performance of Cu-Cr/Al2O3 Catalyst in Gas-Phase Hydrogenation of Furfural

In the present study, the vapor-phase catalytic conversion of furfural in hydrogen environment over impregnated Cu-Cr/Al2O3 catalyst was investigated with reference to the performance of the non-promoted Cu/Al2O3 sample. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized catalysts were analyzed by means of XRD, SEM, EDX, and elemental mapping. The hydrogenation reaction was carried out at atmospheric pressure with hydrogen-to-furfural volumetric ratio of 10.6 and temperature of 453 K. The results revealed that the incorporation of chromium as a promoter enhanced the furfuryl alcohol yield and selectivity by up to 20% after 4 h of run length. Furthermore, the durability of the catalyst was also improved after promotion. The high conversion of Cu/Al2O3 catalyst (above 90% during the hydrogenation process) was preserved, however.

Keywords:

Catalytic hydrogenation , Furfural , Furfuryl alcohol , Copper , Alumina , Impregnation