Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation of Cork Oak Pyrolysis Oil Over Ni/Al-MCM-41.

Catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of cork oak pyrolysis oil was performed using a high pressure batch type reactor. Cork oak pyrolysis oil, obtained from the fast pyrolysis of cork oak, was upgraded into high quality oil under HDO conditions (260 °C, 80 bar) over 20 wt.% Ni/Al-MCM-41. Compared to the cork oak pyrolysis oil, HDO oil had a smaller oxygen content, increased heating value, and improved viscosity and acidity due to the high contents of esters and hydrocarbons.