Preparation method for hydropyrolysis catalyst with higher density; biomass hydropyrolysis process using obtained catalyst

A method of preparing a hydropyrolysis catalyst, said process comprising the steps of:

• i) forming a slurry comprising alpha alumina, an alumina precursor, a binder and water;
• ii) performing spray granulation of said slurry to prepare solid catalyst or carrier spheres;
• and
• iii) drying the catalyst or carrier spheres and then calcining them at a temperature in the range of at least 450° C. and no more than 900° C., wherein active species comprising a molybdenum and a metal selected from those in groups 8, 9 and 10 of the periodic table are incorporated into the hydropyrolysis catalyst, either by incorporating a molybdenum source and a source of a metal selected from those in groups 8, 9 and 10 of the periodic table into the slurry in step i) or by impregnating the calcined carrier spheres with a solution comprising a molybdenum source and a source of a metal selected from those in groups 8, 9 and 10 of the periodic table and subsequently drying and then calcining at a temperature in the range of at least 450° C. and no more than 900° C. the thus-impregnated carrier spheres to provide the hydropyrolysis catalyst.