Catalytic valorization of waste soap into hydrocarbon rich oil and fuel gas

Abstract

The present work is focused on the development of an effective process for the conversion of waste soap into fuel oil and gas. The waste soap was converted into highly combustible gas and oil by using low-cost white cement and burnt brick powder catalysts. Optimum conditions for both catalytic and non-catalytic pyrolysis were investigated by varying temperature, weight of catalyst, and reaction duration. All the experiments were carried out in a custom-made furnace and stainless steel pyrolyzer. The gaseous product was identified as alkenes and alkynes during their chemical analysis. The presence of carbon monoxide in the gaseous product was assessed from the color of the flame while the presence of hydrogen was examined through the GC-MS analysis. The oil fraction was separated into gasoline and kerosene fractions using fractional distillation approach. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the oil was carried out using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The oil obtained at 600 °C by non-catalytic pyrolysis, white cement–catalyzed, and clinker–catalyzed pyrolysis presented hydrocarbon content of 13.27%, 70.70%, and 46.44%, respectively.