Conversion of furfural to 2-methylfuran over CuNi catalysts supported on biobased carbon foams

In this study, carbon foams prepared from the by-products of Finnish forest industry, such as tannic acid and pine bark extracts, were examined supports for 5/5% Cu/Ni catalysts in hydrotreatment furfural to 2-methylfuran (MF). Experiments conducted a batch reactor at 503 K 40 bar H2. Prior metal impregnation, foam was activated with steam (S1), extracts ZnCl2 (S2) washed acids (HNO3 or H2SO4). For comparison, spruce-based (AC) catalyst two commercial AC references investigated. Compressive strength S2 30 times greater than that S1. The highest MF selectivity foam-supported 48 % (S2, HNO3) conversion 91 %. According results, can be applied supports.