Aqueous phase reforming of lignin-rich hydrothermal liquefaction by-products: A study on catalyst deactivation

The water fraction derived from the hydrothermal liquefaction of a lignin-rich feedstock was subjected to aqueous phase reforming produce hydrogen. Deactivation catalyst observed, and it ascribed fouling phenomena caused by phenolic oligomers. Simple aromatics like guaiacol phenol, as well inorganics, were proved not be cause deactivation thanks use multi-component synthetic mixture. influence using activated carbon pretreatment studied, leading strong improvement performance when carried out at high temperature. extent assessed glycolic acid model reaction test. results found correlated with surface area catalyst. A thermal regeneration in inert conditions evaluated mode regeneration. While textural properties partially recovered, only slightly improved. spectroscopic analysis solids solution out, highlighting structural similarities between their nature lignin residue. obtained this study helped enlarge knowledge on real complex mixtures, looking indicators paramount importance for possible industrial application such stability