The effect of a nickel-containing catalyst on the tar carbonization process

Abstract

Tar carbonization was studied in the absence or presence of the 7% Ni/CNT catalyst. It was shown that tar carbonization at a temperature of 350 °С without the catalyst leads to the formation of gaseous and liquid products and oil coke. Thermolysis products are formed via the separation of lateral hydrocarbon chains from the initial polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Gaseous products consist of С1-С6 hydrocarbons and sulfur-containing gases H2S and COS. Fractional composition of the liquid thermolysis products was studied. It was found that 50 % of the liquid products are represented by gasoline and diesel fractions. The 7% Ni/CNT catalyst was prepared by impregnation. The effect of this catalyst on the tar carbonization in the temperature range of 300–550 °С was studied. The addition of the 7% Ni/CNT catalyst to tar increased its yield and decreased the sulfur content due to partial conversion of sulfur to hydrogen sulfide and COS, which are removed with the gas phase. The electron microscopy study showed that the oil coke obtained upon catalytic tar carbonization is reinforced with carbon nanotubes.