VTT and partners have successfully demonstrated novel catalytic path to upgrade lignocellulosic bio-oils to fuels and chemicals within CaSH (Catalytic Slurry Hydrotreatment) research project.
Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant sustainable feedstock which can be turned into valuable chemicals and fuels, thus replacing traditional fossil-based feedstocks of the chemical industry. Several technical challenges hinder broad adoption of lignocellulosic feedstock, in particular, a need for an efficient catalytic upgrading process. Development of an innovative, robust and scalable upgrading process for the complex lignocellulosic bio-oils was the main target of the two-year research project CaSH (Catalytic Slurry Hydrotreatment). The results of the project were recently presented at the final project seminar in Espoo. The joint CaSH research project was coordinated by VTT and funded by Business Finland and several industrial companies as a part of the Neste Veturi ecosystem.
Three research partners of CaSH project, Åbo Akademi University, University of Oulu and VTT have achieved substantial progress in the field of biomass upgrading over the course of the project. Several novel catalyst families for the catalytic upgrading of lignocellulosic bio-oils have been developed and tested with model compounds and real bio-oil feeds. A process concept for the catalytic upgrading of bio-oil has been developed and evaluated from economic and life cycle analysis standpoints. A crowning achievement of CaSH project has been a successful scale-up of catalyst production and bio oil catalytic upgrading. Novel catalysts were used by VTT to successfully upgrade several hundred kilograms of pyrolysis oil using pilot hydrocracker facilities of RISE in Sweden.
Multiple breakthroughs have been realised by the project team, including development of novel catalysts for the upgrading, scale-up of catalyst production and ultimate piloting of the developed process.
CaSH project has also contributed to know-how generation and scientific dissemination. Four M.Sc. theses have been accomplished as part of the project, three peer-reviewed publications have already been published by the research partners, with several more articles expected to be published in near future.
"Having to execute the project in the challenging pandemic times, research partners and consortium companies have found an efficient way to collaborate and communicate over the project duration. Achieving proof-of-concept demonstration of the catalytic upgrading in pilot scale really shows that the team has delivered up to the expectation. This demonstration creates a solid basis for the future technology maturation and scale-up" notes Alexander Reznichenko, Research Team Leader at VTT.
"It has been our pleasure to participate in the CaSH research project supporting our aims to turn low-quality raw materials into high-quality solutions by developing novel catalysts and upgrading process concepts. By fostering strong partnerships and embracing cooperation, we drive scientific progress forward, enabling us to achieve our climate goals,” says Petri Lehmus, Vice President, Research and Development at Neste.
Key Figures and Information
Co-funded by Business Finland, three research institutions (VTT, Åbo Akademi University and University of Oulu) the project was run between 2021 and 2023 with a total budget of EUR 1.97 million. Seven companies joining the project consortium (BMH Technology, ESL Shipping, Fortum Recycling & Waste, MeriAura, Neste, Savon Voima, and Valmet) are representing all segments of the value chain from biomass pretreatment and biomass liquefaction, to catalytic upgrading, refining and end fuel usage.
Final report of CaSH project can be accessed via this link.
Meet the core team of CaSH
Tyko Viertiö (M.Sc) is a Research Scientist in Industrial Synthesis and Catalysis team at VTT and has been a key researcher in CaSH project. Tyko's main research interest is the catalytic upgrading of lignocellulosic bio-oils, and while working at VTT he is a doctoral student at Åbo Akademi University under supervision of Professor Dmitry Murzin.
Niko Vuorio has worked as a research engineer at VTT Industrial Chemistry research area since 2022, having had previous experience in academic and industry sectors. His work at VTT in focused on catalytic upgrading of biomass based side streams. Niko's role in CaSH projected included catalyst evaluation in bio-oil hydroprocessing.
Juha Lehtonen (D.Sc.) is a professor of Sustainable Chemical and Catalytic Conversion Processes at VTT and has been acting as scientific leader of CaSH project. Juha has had a long industrial career as a specialist of chemical reaction engineering, catalysis and development of biofuels, refinery and specialty chemicals processes. Before starting at VTT in 2016 he worked for four years as a professor of Industrial Chemistry at Aalto University (Espoo, Finland) concentrating on catalytic and thermochemical conversion of CO2 and biomass to value added chemicals and fuels.
Alexander is a Research Team Leader in Industrial Synthesis and Catalysis team and is a project manager of CaSH project. He has obtained his PhD degree from Rutgers University, USA and has worked in petrochemical industry between 2012 and 2020, focusing on industrial catalyst R&D. At VTT, Alexander is leading the team developing novel catalytic pathways to convert biomass and waste into low carbon chemicals, polymers and fuels.