Ex-situ up-conversion of biomass pyrolysis bio-oil vapors using Pt/Al₂O₃ nanostructured catalyst synergistically heated with steel balls via induction

Radiofrequency-driven hydrodeoxygenation of sawdust pyrolysis vapor and the coking performance of the catalysts were investigated using Pt/Al₂O₃ commercial pellets mixed with steel balls inside an alumina tube. The radio-frequency induction heating of the catalyst bed was compared with a conventional method of heating using electric tape engulfing the catalyst bed reactor. Partial deoxygenation of the oil was successfully achieved in the catalytic upgrading of pyrolysis oil at 234 °C, with the use of the induction heater. The molar O/C ratio of the oil decreased from 1.36 to 0.51. No deoxygenation of the oil was observed using the electric tape control under identical conditions as both carbon and oxygen appeared to be removed at approximately equal rates, with the carbon being deposited in the form of coke onto the catalyst instead of being recovered in the liquid.