HYDROGENATION OF FURFURAL OVER COPPER BASED CATALYST

Abstract

Liquid phase hydrogenation of furfural (FFR) was investigated over a series of Cu/Si02 catalyst. The effect of support as well as metal loading on liquid phase hydrogenation reaction was studied. Copper catalysts supported on silica with various metal loadings (5wt%, lOwt%, 15wt% and 20wt%) were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method. The physiochemical properties of the catalysts were characterize by various techniques such as specific surface areas, X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Surface area of the catalysts was in the range of 5.1-15 m2/g. It was found that the surface area of the impregnated catalysts was reduced significantly. The XRD results confirmed the formation of CuO and Cu2O metal oxides together with copper metal species on the silica support. The catalysts reduction temperature of 328-397°C was confirmed by TPD study. With increasing in reaction time as well as metal loading catalyst activity was found to decrease. The selectivity data dictated that, Cu/Si02 catalysts with the metal loading of 5wt%, 1 Owt% and 15 wt% was selective to FFA however 20wt%Cu/Si02 was selective to tetrahydrofurfural alcohol (THFA). Among all the catalysts tested 1 Owt%Cu/Si02 showed superior performance with 97% conversion of FFR at 150°C and 30 bar hydrogen pressure after a reaction time of 2 h. At this condition the maximum selectivity and yield of FFA was 88.6% and 86%, respectively. Over 20wt%Cu/Si02 catalyst, maximum selectivity and yield of THFA was 92% and 72.5%, respectively after a reaction time of 2 h. Selectivity to other side over hydrogenation products were significantly higher over 20wt%Cu/Si02 catalyst as compared to other catalysts.