Mesoporous Zeolite Catalysts for Biomass Conversion to Fuels and Chemicals

In the present chapter, the utilization of mesoporous/hierarchical zeolites in the conversion of different types of biomass-derived molecules and feedstocks towards fuels and chemicals has been reviewed, emphasizing on the effect of the structural, textural, morphological and acidic properties of the new hybrid zeolites on activity and products selectivity. A short introduction to the synthesis and structural characteristics of hierarchical zeolites is also provided for better understanding of their catalytic performance. The processes that are discussed include the catalytic Fast Pyrolysis (CFP) of lignocellulosic biomass, the catalytic cracking of vegetable oils, the hydroprocessing of biomass-derived feeds, the methanol-to-hydrocarbons reactions (MTG, MTO and methanol to DME), the esterification of acidic oils and the transesterification of triglycerides to biodiesel, and the aqueous phase hydrolysis of lignocellulose. The important issue of long term stability of the mesoporous zeolites in processes that involve coke formation and repeated reaction-regeneration cycles has been identified and discussed. A critical evaluation of the results available in the literature and future perspectives of the new hybrid zeolites in biomass valorization are provided.