Clay-supported zinc oxide as catalyst in pyrolysis and deoxygenation of licuri (Syagrus coronata) oil

Abstract

The vast majority of fuels used today are derived from non-renewable sources, causing climate change on the planet. In addition to the problems caused by these energy sources, there are processes for the refining of raw material, such as oil, where high-cost synthetic catalysts are used. In this work, vermiculite was used as catalyst and support for zinc oxide in the pyrolysis of licuri oil. Four catalysts were synthesized: zinc oxide, vermiculite supporting zinc oxide 1 and 6% (VZn1 and VZn6) and calcined vermiculite. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, thermal analysis and nitrogen adsorption/desorption. The activation energy was determined using the Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) kinetic model. The emitted gas analysis in the deoxygenation study was performed by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectrometer (TGA-FTIR). Pyrolysis was performed in a pyrolyzer coupled to chromatography with mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) for the determination of the products. The catalysts showing the highest catalytic activity were vermiculite and VZn1, with activation energies lower than that for thermal pyrolysis. VZn1 showed higher activity in the formation of hydrocarbons (43.5%) by deoxygenation, indicating that zinc oxide associated with vermiculite is an option for the catalytic pyrolysis of biomass.