Co-pyrolysis of Enteromorpha prolifera and the Ficus microcarpa l for improving bio-oil quality in fixed-bed reactor

Abstract

ABSTRACT In order to solve the environmental pollution caused by over-breeding of coastal Enteromorpha prolifera, co-pyrolysis of Enteromorpha prolifera, and the Ficus microcarpa l for bio-oil was conducted in a fixed-bed reactor. Under the optimal process parameters (the heating rate: 20°C/min, the pyrolysis final temperature: 550°C, the N2 flow rate: 250 ml/min, and holding time: 10 min), the Enteromorpha prolifera alone pyrolysis to maximize the liquid yield (42.97%). In contrast, the yields and properties of pyrolysis products obtained from co-pyrolysis of Enteromorpha prolifera and the Ficus microcarpa l were improved, which showed obvious superiority. The bio-oil obtained from Enteromorpha prolifera and the Ficus microcarpa l yield increased up to 49.48%, and the higher heating value of the liquid fraction was up to 28.86 MJ/kg (at 7:3). The density and acidity of the bio-oil reduced to 1.1111 g/cm3 and 50.99 mgKOH/g (at 7:3), respectively. Adding the Ficus microcarpa l can improve the composition of the liquid phase. The GC-MS analysis result of the modified liquid fraction showed that the content of hydrocarbon compounds, alcohols, and esters increased, meanwhile the compound number of acids and aldehydes reduced. In addition, in non-condensable gases, the H2 and CnHm concentration increased along with adding the Ficus microcarpa l. This study provides a way for using Enteromorpha prolifera and the Ficus microcarpa l to product the bio-oil, at the same time, because of the cheapness of feedstocks, using them for easier industrialization of pyrolysis oil.