In-situ catalytic upgrading of biomass-derived vapors using HZSM-5 and MCM-41: Effects of mixing ratios on bio-oil preparation

Abstract

In this paper, two molecular sieves with different pore sizes, namely HZSM-5 and MCM-41, were mixed using different ratios and used in the in-situ catalytic pyrolysis of rape straw. The effects of different HZSM -5 and MCM -41 mixing ratios on the quality of the bio-oil were studied by physicochemical properties, product yields and compositions. Moreover, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) catalyst analysis was performed. The results showed that the liquid yield and organic phase decreased first and then increased, whereas the gas yield showed an opposite trend. The density, O/C and kinematic viscosity of the bio-oil organic phase decreased first then increased, whereas the H/C, pH values and higher heating values initially increased, then declined. The oxygen content, H/C, O/C, kinematic viscosity, density, higher heating value and pH value of the bio-oil organic phase obtained at 1:1 mixed ratio were 12.81%, 1.701, 0.126, 5.06 mm2/s, 0.94 g/cm3, 34.31 MJ/kg and 5.41, respectively. The organic phase included numerous organic compounds, such as carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers and esters. The hydrocarbon content in the bio-oil organic phase gradually increased and the carbonyl groups content gradually decreased as the MCM-41 content increased from 0 to 50%. In contrast, the hydrocarbon content gradually decreased and the carbonyl groups content gradually increased as the MCM-41 content increased from 50% to 100%. The hydrocarbon and carbonyl groups contents were 53.83% and 6.35%, respectively, at the MCM-41 content of 50%. The mixed catalyst activity increased with the increase in MCM-41 content (up to 50%), and tended to be stable once the MCM-41 contents surpassed 50%.