THE CATALYTIC HYDROTREATMENT OF PEAT PYROLYSATE OILS

A 65 wt % yield of hexane-soluble liquid, containing 83% of the feed carbon, was obtained when Finnish Carex-peat pyrolysate was hydrotreated batchwise (21.5 MPa for two hours at 390-degrees-C with 10 wt % catalyst, 4% Co0/15.5% Mo03 on gamma-alumina). Oxygen content was lowered from 22% to 3%, in the process. Nitrogen and sulphur contents of the product were 4.3%, and 0. 10%, respectively. Straight-chain material predominated in the upgraded product and C-14-C29 n-alkanes have been identified along with some phenols. The peat pyrolysate is also predominantly straight-chain material, hut contains polar functionalities such as the carboxyl group.