LAUSR

Abstract Large quantities of enzymolysis lignin (EL) is produced with the development of cellulosic bioethanol. Valorization of EL is of important significance for the sustainable development of the plants. In this work, hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of EL to bio-oil was proposed aided by the in situ hydrogen production via aluminum-water reactions. Results showed that reaction temperature had remarkable effect on the reactivity of aluminum powder in subcritical water, and most of the aluminum was oxidized to boehmite at temperatures over 340 °C with high hydrogen yield. In situ HDO of EL over NiMoS/Al2O3 catalyst decreased the yield of phenolics and ketones, but increased the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons in the bio-oil. In addition, the properties of the bio-oil were also improved via in situ HDO process. The feasibility of aluminum-water reactions as in situ hydrogen source was proved with EL as a promising feedstock for aromatic biofuels production.