Fast Pyrolysis of Sunflower Oil in the Presence of Microporous and Mesoporous Materials for Production of Bio-Oil

Aruzza Araújo,Gabriella Queiroz,Antonio Araujo,Danielle Maia,Amanda Gondim,Valter Fernandes,Luiz Souza

doi:10.3390/catal8070261

Abstract

The present work describes the study of micro (H-ZSM-5) and mesoporous (AL-MCM-41) structures, aiming at their application in the production of renewable fuels through the thermos-catalytic pyrolysis process both were synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption, and surface acidity. The catalytic effect of the materials mentioned, as well as their mechanical mixtures in the proportions of H-ZSM-5 (75% wt) and AL-MCM-41 (25% wt); H-ZSM-5 (50% wt) and AL-MCM-41 (50% wt); H-ZSM-5 (25% wt) and AL-MCM-41 (75% wt) were used in the thermal and thermo-catalytic pyrolysis of sunflower oil. The products obtained in the presence of H-ZSM-5 (25% wt) and AL-MCM-41(75% wt) showed selectivity for the conversion of hydrocarbons between C11 and C16, which is near that of the petroleum-derived kerosene and diesel (>C16). On the other hand, the H-ZSM-5 (75% wt) and AL-MCM-41 (25% wt) material, in which the majoritarian catalyst is the microporous, with active sites and a higher surface acidity, indicates selectivity for light hydrocarbons (C5-C10), in the range of gasoline obtained by the conversion of mineral oil. The presence of catalysts (AL-MCM-41and H-ZSM-5) favors the deoxygenation of the pyrolysis products of sunflower oil by decarbonylation reaction.

Highlights

The dependence on fossil fuels combined with the large increase in the emission of waste gases produced in the burning of oil causes serious environmental problems, as well as aggravates the hazards associated with the greenhouse effect and the ozone layer depletion [1,2]
Drop-in biofuels are hydrocarbon fuels compared to gasoline and diesel, which can be transported through the existing petroleum pipeline and are ready for vehicles to use without any modification to engines [14]
X-ray diffractogram shows a topography of a one-dimensional hexagonal structure, of Al-MCM-41 type, as proposed by Beck and colleagues [25]

Summary

Introduction

The dependence on fossil fuels combined with the large increase in the emission of waste gases produced in the burning of oil causes serious environmental problems, as well as aggravates the hazards associated with the greenhouse effect and the ozone layer depletion [1,2]. The triacylglyceride pyrolysis, when performed at a temperature of around 500 ◦ C, the absence of oxygen and having a small residence time, favors the formation of liquid products (60 to 75% by weight) [9,10,11]. These pyrolysis products, mainly hydrocarbons, have properties very similar to those of gasoline, kerosene and/or petroleum diesel, which can be used directly in conventional compression ignition engines, which we call drop-in fuel [12,13]. The presence of the catalyst in the pyrolysis process of triacylglyceride allows the reduction of temperature in process, increased percentage of hydrocarbons and oxygenated product reduction through decarboxylation and decarbonylation reaction

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Conclusion