Catalytic conversion of furfural to furfuryl alcohol over ruthenium based catalysts

Abstract

The catalytic performance of a ruthenium metal on a various of supported catalysts in the hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol has been conducted in a autoclave reactor with mild conditions. The effect of reaction parameters, i.e. catalyst-reactant ratio, temperature, and pressure were also studied. These catalysts were prepared by supporting 5 wt.% Ru on different commercial support (Al2O3, MgO, hydrotalcite, activated carbon and CaO) by impregnation method. Their physical properties were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and surface area analysis (BET method). The optimum condition for the hydrogenation of furfural was achieved over Ru/MgO catalyst with operation conditions of catalyst-reactant ratio are 25 wt%, 110°C and 4 bar hydrogen for 1 h. This condition produces the highest conversion of furfural (92.14%) and the highest yield of furfuryl alcohol (79.88%).