Fast pyrolysis of cassava rhizome in the presence of catalysts

Adisak Pattiya, James Titiloye, Anthony V. Bridgwater

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Cassava rhizome was catalytically pyrolysed at 500 °C using analytical pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) in order to investigate the effect of catalysts on bio-oil properties. The catalysts studied were zeolite ZSM-5, two aluminosilicate mesoporous materials Al-MCM-41 and Al-MSU-F, and a proprietary commercial catalyst alumina-stabilised ceria MI-575. The influence of catalysts on pyrolysis products was observed through the yields of aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, lignin-derived compounds, carbonyls, methanol and acetic acid. Results showed that all the catalysts produced aromatic hydrocarbons and reduced oxygenated lignin derivatives, thus indicating an improvement of bio-oil heating value and viscosity. Among the catalysts, ZSM-5 was the most active to all the changes in pyrolysis products. In addition, all the catalysts with the exception of MI-575 enhanced the formation of acetic acid. This is clearly a disadvantage with respect to the level of pH in the liquid bio-fuel.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)72-79
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis
Volume81
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2008

Keywords

  • cassava rhizome
  • analytical pyrolysis
  • catalysts

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