Martin Olazar

Bio: Martin Olazar is an academic researcher from University of the Basque Country. The author has contributed to research in topics: Pyrolysis & Catalysis. The author has an hindex of 74, co-authored 369 publications receiving 15854 citations.

Thermochemical routes for the valorization of waste polyolefinic plastics to produce fuels and chemicals. A review

Abstract: The continuous increase in the generation of waste plastics together with the need for developing more sustainable waste management policies have promoted a great research effort dealing with their valorization routes. In this review, the main thermochemical routes are analyzed for the valorization of waste polyolefins to produce chemicals and fuels. Amongst the different strategies, pyrolysis has received greater attention, but most studies are of preliminary character. Likewise, the studies pursuing the incorporation of waste plastics into refinery units (mainly fluid catalytic cracking and hydrocracking) have been carried out in batch laboratory-scale units. Other promising alternative to which great attention is being paid is the process based on two steps: pyrolysis and in-line intensification for olefin production by means of catalytic cracking or thermal cracking at high temperatures.

Recent advances in the gasification of waste plastics. A critical overview

Abstract: The current review provides an assessment of the main waste plastics valorization routes to produce syngas and H2, thus covering different gasification strategies and other novel alternative processes, such as pyrolysis and in-line catalytic steam reforming The studies dealing with plastics gasification are in general scarce However, due to the knowledge acquired on biomass and coal gasification, the state of development of plastic gasification technologies is considerable and, in fact, several gasification studies have been performed at pilot scale units Air gasification is the most studied and developed strategy and pursues the production of a syngas for energy purposes In spite of the higher H2 content and heating value of the gas produced by steam gasification, this alternative faces significant challenges, such as the energy requirements of the process and the tar content in the syngas Moreover, the co-gasification of plastics with coal and biomass appears to be a promising valorization route due to the positive impact on process performance and greater process flexibility Other promising alternative is the pyrolysis and in-line reforming, which allows producing a syngas with high hydrogen content and totally free of tar

Transformation of Oxygenate Components of Biomass Pyrolysis Oil on a HZSM-5 Zeolite. II. Aldehydes, Ketones, and Acids

Abstract: The catalytic transformation over a HZSM-5 zeolite of key components of the liquid product obtained by the flash pyrolysis of biomass, namely, acetaldehyde, ketones (acetone and butanone), and acetic acid, has been studied, and great differences in reactivity and degradation to coke have been found. Acetaldehyde has a low reactivity to hydrocarbons, with a noticeable deactivation caused by coke deposition, which can be attributed to its capacity for oligomerization with the trimer trimethyltrioxane obtained as an intermediate product. The transformation of ketones [less reactive than the alcohols studied in part I of this work (see the preceding paper in this issue)] and of acetic acid (which gives rise to acetone as the primary product) mainly occurs through decarboxylation and, to a lesser degree, dehydration. Above 400 °C, this transformation gives olefins and aromatics according to a reaction scheme similar to that better known for the reaction of alcohols. The generation of coke (attenuated by the pr...

Influence of temperature on biomass pyrolysis in a conical spouted bed reactor

Abstract: Pinewood sawdust flash pyrolysis has been performed in continuous mode in a pilot plant provided with a conical spouted bed reactor, in the 400–600 °C range. The influence of temperature on the pyrolysis yields and product properties has been studied. Product analysis has been carried out on-line by means of chromatographic methods. High liquid yields have been achieved, with the maximum bio-oil yield (75 wt%) at 500 °C. Gas yield is very low at low temperatures and this fraction is mainly composed of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and small amounts of methane, hydrogen and C2–C4 hydrocarbons. Bio-oil has been characterized and its major compounds are phenols, specifically guaiacols at low temperatures and catechols at high temperatures. At 600 °C, there is an increase in light compounds due to the cracking reactions, but no aromatic compounds have been detected due to the low residence time of the volatiles in the reactor. The fuel properties of the bio-oil have been measured and the results indicate that it can be a potential substitute to conventional fuels, although its heating value should be improved by subjecting to further treatments. Char can be used as energy source or as active carbon. The char obtained at 600 °C has a high surface area and is suitable for active carbon production.

Synthesis of transportation fuels from biomass: chemistry, catalysts, and engineering.

Abstract: 1.0. Introduction 4044 2.0. Biomass Chemistry and Growth Rates 4047 2.1. Lignocellulose and Starch-Based Plants 4047 2.2. Triglyceride-Producing Plants 4049 2.3. Algae 4050 2.4. Terpenes and Rubber-Producing Plants 4052 3.0. Biomass Gasification 4052 3.1. Gasification Chemistry 4052 3.2. Gasification Reactors 4054 3.3. Supercritical Gasification 4054 3.4. Solar Gasification 4055 3.5. Gas Conditioning 4055 4.0. Syn-Gas Utilization 4056 4.1. Hydrogen Production by Water−Gas Shift Reaction 4056

Review of fast pyrolysis of biomass and product upgrading

Abstract: This paper provides an updated review on fast pyrolysis of biomass for production of a liquid usually referred to as bio-oil. The technology of fast pyrolysis is described including the major reaction systems. The primary liquid product is characterised by reference to the many properties that impact on its use. These properties have caused increasingly extensive research to be undertaken to address properties that need modification and this area is reviewed in terms of physical, catalytic and chemical upgrading. Of particular note is the increasing diversity of methods and catalysts and particularly the complexity and sophistication of multi-functional catalyst systems. It is also important to see more companies involved in this technology area and increased take-up of evolving upgrading processes. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Recent advances in catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide

Abstract: Owing to the increasing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), human life and the ecological environment have been affected by global warming and climate changes. To mitigate the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere various strategies have been implemented such as separation, storage, and utilization of CO2. Although it has been explored for many years, hydrogenation reaction, an important representative among chemical conversions of CO2, offers challenging opportunities for sustainable development in energy and the environment. Indeed, the hydrogenation of CO2 not only reduces the increasing CO2 buildup but also produces fuels and chemicals. In this critical review we discuss recent developments in this area, with emphases on catalytic reactivity, reactor innovation, and reaction mechanism. We also provide an overview regarding the challenges and opportunities for future research in the field (319 references).

Mechanisms of catalyst deactivation

Abstract: The literature treating mechanisms of catalyst deactivation is reviewed. Intrinsic mechanisms of catalyst deactivation are many; nevertheless, they can be classified into six distinct types: (i) poisoning, (ii) fouling, (iii) thermal degradation, (iv) vapor compound formation accompanied by transport, (v) vapor-solid and/or solid-solid reactions, and (vi) attrition/crushing. As (i), (iv), and (v) are chemical in nature and (ii) and (v) are mechanical, the causes of deactivation are basically three-fold: chemical, mechanical and thermal. Each of these six mechanisms is defined and its features are illustrated by data and examples from the literature. The status of knowledge and needs for further work are also summarized for each type of deactivation mechanism. The development during the past two decades of more sophisticated surface spectroscopies and powerful computer technologies provides opportunities for obtaining substantially better understanding of deactivation mechanisms and building this understanding into comprehensive mathematical models that will enable more effective design and optimization of processes involving deactivating catalysts. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Kinetic models of sorption: a theoretical analysis.

Abstract: The kinetics of sorption from a solution onto an adsorbent has been explored theoretically. The general analytical solution was obtained for two cases. It has been shown that at high initial concentration of solute (sorbate) the general equation converts to a pseudo-first-order model and at lower initial concentration of solute it converts to a pseudo-second-order model. In other words, the sorption process obeys pseudo-first-order kinetics at high initial concentration of solute, while it obeys pseudo-second-order kinetics model at lower initial concentration of solute. The theoretical results (derived equations) show that the observed rate constants of pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models are combinations of adsorption and desorption rate constants and also initial concentration of solute. The obtained theoretical equations are used to correlate experimental data for sorption kinetics of some solutes on various sorbents. The predictions of the theory are in excellent agreement with the experimental data.