Exploration of in-situ formed MoSx catalyst for co-hydrodeoxygenation of sawdust and vacuum gas oil in pilot-scale plant

Abstract Obtaining bio-fuels (including gas and bio-oil) with high energy density remains a huge challenge due to their high oxygen content. Here we report a novel MoSx catalyst in-situ formed in a pilot-scale plant can effectively promote the co-hydrodeoxygenation (co-HDO) reaction of poplar wood sawdust and vacuum gas oil with H2. Because of the sulfur vacancies on MoSx, the co-HDO reaction is facilitated along with a significant accumulation of oxygen (over 50.0 wt.%) into an oil-insoluble polar-liquid, leading to a high combustion heat of ∼47 MJ kg−1 of the bio-fuels. Besides, the presence of MoSx also affords a lowered molecular weight of the deoxidized bio-fuels. Based on the underlying conversion mechanisms, the co-HDO reaction can be enhanced in the presence of MoSx catalyst by promoting oxygen transfer towards the polar-liquid during the co-HDO process.