Pyrolysis and Catalytic Upgrading of Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Metal Loaded Zsm-5 Zeolite

Abstract

The present study is aimed to catalytic upgrading of bio-oil obtained from beech wood sawdust pyrolysis over metal-loaded ZSM-5 zeolites. Ni modified ZSM-5 zeolites synthesized with varying metal loading ratios (1-10 wt. %) via dry impregnation method and characterized by XRD and SEM-EDX techniques. Thermal characteristics and gas composition during beech wood sawdust pyrolysis under N-2 atmosphere are investigated using a TG/FT-IR/MS. It is found that beech wood sawdust thermal degradation starts at about 211 degrees C and is completed at 517 degrees C, with a maximum decomposition rate at 354 degrees C and a mass loss of 72 wt.%. Bio-oil obtained from pyrolysis experiments are characterized with elemental and GC/MS analyses. Moreover, FT-IR spectrometer was applied to define chemical functional groups in the beech wood sawdust bio-oil. Compared to thermal pyrolysis, it is indicated that the entity of the ZSM-5 and modified ZSM-5 alters significantly the quality of the pyrolysis products. In the case of the presence of 10 wt.% Ni/ZSM-5 catalyst, the oxygen content of the organic fraction is decreased and C formation is increased. Furthermore, an impregnation of 10 wt.% Ni to ZSM-5 resulted in a considerable increase amount of phenolic compounds that are very crucial in the adhesives industry.