The effect of Ca/Mg/Zn mixing ratio on the research octane number of bio-gasoline during basic soap pyrolysis

Abstract

Pyrolysis is one of the available technologies to convert oleic basic soap into gasoline-compatible fuel. In this research, the process mentioned was applied using the mixture of Ca, Mg, Zn in the production of oleic basic soap. The reactions were carried out in a batch glass reactor at atmospheric pressure at the temperature of 450 °C. Meanwhile, the basic soaps were made by reacting oleic acid mixed with metal hydroxides. The parameters observed were the Research Octane Number (RON) of bio-gasoline and the hydrocarbon content in the liquid product. The higher the octane number is, the better gasoline resists detonation and the smoother the engine runs. As observed, pyrolysis of oleic basic soap produced gasoline range hydrocarbon. GC-DHA results indicated that the highest RON (89.6) was achieved with Ca/Mg/Zn ratio of 0.15:0.85:1 (Ca-metal ratio of 0.15 mol). The products of the pyrolysis process comprised bio-hydrocarbon, solid residue, water, and gas. The bio-hydrocarbon contents were paraffin (5.9 wt%), iso-paraffin (31.3 wt%), olefin (18.5 wt%), naphthene (25.3 wt%), and aromatic compounds (15.3 wt%).