Nanoscale MOF-catalyzed pyrolysis of oil shale and kinetic analysis

Abstract

Oil shale is of increasing interest as it is considered an essential alternative to traditional energy sources due to its abundant reserves. In this research, nanoscale Co/MOF and Ni/MOF were prepared by modified methods, and the catalytic pyrolysis mechanism of oil shale was studied using structural characterization and pyrolysis experiments. The TG and DTG curves show that MOF catalysts increase the total weight loss rate of oil shale pyrolysis and decrease the temperature corresponding to the initial temperature, final temperature, and maximum weight loss rate of oil shale pyrolysis. Kinetic analysis shows that Co/MOF and Ni/MOF catalysts reduce the activation energy of oil shale pyrolysis reaction by 32 KJ/mol and 25 KJ/mol, respectively. The change in the yield and composition of the products before and after catalytic pyrolysis was compared through the dry distillation experiment. It was found that MOF had a good catalytic effect, and the shale oil output was significantly increased. The FT-IR and GC/MS analysis of the catalytic pyrolysis of shale oil shows that the addition of Co/MOF and Ni/MOF catalysts is conducive to the increase of aromatics, olefins, and alkanes and the decrease of oxygen-containing compounds. The effect of the catalysts on the nature of the products and on the yields suggests that the Lewis and Bronsted acid groups on the surfaces of the MOF catalysts and that these can induce positive charges on carbon atoms in alkanes, alkenes etc to promote pyrolysis generate more oil.