Na2ZrO3 as an Effective Bifunctional Catalyst–Sorbent during Cellulose Pyrolysis

Abstract

Na2ZrO3 was tested as bifunctional catalyst sorbent using cellulose as model biomass under pyrolytic conditions. Thermogravimetric analyzer connected to a mass spectrometer (TG-MS) was used to study the influence of Na2ZrO3 on the gas evolution from cellulose pyrolysis. The weight loss data and gas evolution was analyzed over a temperature range of 200–800 °C. Na2ZrO3 showed a clear catalytic influence during cellulose pyrolysis, and it was actively catalyzing tar cracking and reforming reactions at elevated temperatures. A comparison with CaO was conducted under identical conditions and results showed that Na2ZrO3 mixed samples were able to produce higher yield of hydrogen from cellulose, mainly due to participating in tar-cracking and reforming reactions at lower temperatures than CaO (500 °C for Na2ZrO3, compared to 600 °C for CaO). The study showed that Na2ZrO3 can act as catalyst for pyrolysis reactions of cracking and reforming, and subsequently remove CO2 produced in situ. The results suggest that ...