Catalytic effect of rice straw‐derived chars on the decomposition of naphthalene: The influence of steam activation and solvent treatment during char preparation

Abstract

AbstractRice straw char (RSC) was prepared as the catalyst for naphthalene decomposition in this work. The effects of steam activation and solvent treatment on the catalytic naphthalene decomposition during the char preparation were investigated. Four chars were prepared: RSC, steam‐activated RSC at 500°C (SRS500), steam‐activated RSC at 800°C (SRS800), and solvent‐treated RSC (ResC). The catalytic activity of each catalyst was discussed, and the catalytic mechanisms were also proposed. The results revealed that the SRS catalysts gave a higher catalytic activity than the RSC, due to the enhancement of the surface area after steam activation. The SRS800 gave the highest naphthalene conversion and net gas yield: approximately 76.9% and 45%, respectively. However, its catalytic activity was more rapidly decreased by coke deposition than the other chars. Compared with the RSC, the ResC showed a slightly lower naphthalene conversion, but the net gas yield was slightly higher, especially that of H2 and CH4, due to the existence of K in silicate form.