Catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose over SAPO-11 using Py-GC/MS

The catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose was carried out over SAPO-11 for the first time. Pyrolyzer-gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy was used for the in-situ analysis of the pyrolysis products. The acid sites of SAPO-11 converted most levoglucosan produced from the non-catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose to furans. In particular, the selectivity toward light furans, such as furfural, furan and 2-methyl furan, was high. When the catalyst/cellulose ratio was increased from 1/1 to 3/1 and 5/1, the increase in the quantity of acid sites led to the promotion of deoxygenation and the resultant increase of the contents of light furan compounds. Because furans can be used as basic feedstock materials, the augmentation of the economical value of bio-oil through the catalytic upgrading over SAPO-11 is considerable.