Project Goal: Design pyrolysis process to produce bio-oil from switchgrass .

1. Pyrolysis of Switchgrass Amanda Drabek & Kang-Lih Chey Project Goal: • Design pyrolysis process to produce bio-oil from switchgrass. • Determine economical method to upgrade bio-oil to fuel suitable for automobile engines. 2 Options to upgrade bio-oil: • Hydrotreating • Catalytic Deoxygenation • Look at 5 scenarios for Catalytic Deoxygenation: • Scenario 0: original scenario • Scenario 1: Decrease amount of catalyst used from 17 g cat/g oil/min to 8.5 g cat/g oil/min • Scenario 2: Regenerate catalyst 10 times instead of 2; run on 30 minute cycles instead of hour cycles. • Scenario 3: Increase Yield of Product Oil to 23 wt %. • Scenario 4: Plant is separate from refinery; add separation process and transportation costs Conclusions: Pursue catalytic deoxygenation method To make this process economical: • Use less catalyst. • Use catalyst for more cycles. • Increase selectivity of catalyst • Combine plant with refinery.