| Abstract | This work investigates the effect of supported iron-oxide nano-catalysts for hydrothermal conversion of food waste. The studied supports were carbon black (Vulcan carbon), reducible oxide (CeO2), ZSM-5 and amorphous SiO2-Al2O3. Catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction experiments were carried in a batch reactor at 21 MPa and 300 °C. Different fractions of Fe(0), Fe2+ and Fe3+ alters its tendency toward deoxygenation, hydrogenations and condensation reactions, which influence the bio-crude yield, elemental compositions, and energy recoveries. The fresh and spent catalysts were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, physisorption analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the change in support has different promotional effects in favouring certain HTL pathways and products. Catalysts with high fractions of Fe2+ relative to Fe3+ increased the yield of oil-soluble products and overall energy recovery, while the presence of Fe(0) sites reduced the oxygen content and improved the bio-crude heating values. |
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