Optimizing catalytic pyrolysis of rubber seed oil for light aromatics and anti-deactivation of ZSM-5

Abstract

The ex-situ catalytic pyrolysis of rubber seed oil (RSO) with ZSM-5 catalyst on fixed bed reactor was conducted. Catalysis temperature, pyrolysis temperature, nitrogen flow rate, and weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) were investigated to optimize the conditions for BTX (benzene, toluene, and xylenes). The optimal bio-oil which contained 99.56% total aromatics and 78.68% BTX, was obtained when nitrogen flow rate and WHSV were respectively 150mLmin−1 and 5.48 at catalysis temperature 550°C and pyrolysis temperature 550°C. In order to prolong the lifetime of the catalyst, an alkali treatment resulted in enlarged pores of ZSM-5 and inhibited deactivation with slight reduction of BTX in products.