Catalytic conversion of cellulose into hydrocarbon fuel components

The results of catalytic processing of cellulose to hydrocarbon fuel component are presented. Nanoscale Mo,Fe(III) catalytic systems have been formed from organic solutions of mono- and bimetallic complex compounds on the surface of the substrate. Tetralin, an analogue of naphthenoaromatic compounds of crude oil and its refining products, has been used as a hydrogen donor. The effect of the precursor nature and catalyst activation method on the parameter of the process has been investigated. It has been shown that the cellulose conversion reaches 97–98% under optimal conditions, yielding up to 90% of liquid hydrocarbons with the exhaustive deoxygenation. It has been found that the most efficient method of preliminary activation of both active components and cellulose is ultrasonic treatment leading to an increase of the rate of cellulose conversion into hydrocarbons.