Evaluation of microalgae, sludge and cedar wood blends for aromatic hydrocarbon-enriched bio-oil production

Abstract

Aromatic hydrocarbons (AH) are valued chemicals used in synthesis and formulation of numerous industrial products. In the current study, pyrolysis of pure algal biomass (AB), cedar wood (CW), digested sludge (DS) and their ternary blends (with and without catalyst) was evaluated for producing AH-enriched bio-oil. Although, non-catalytic pyrolysis of pure biomass did not produce significant amount of AH, catalyst addition enhanced AH content (as high as 84.9%) in the bio-oil. Catalyst to biomass weight ratio was a significant variable in the AH formation. Increasing catalyst: biomass weight ratio from 0:1 to 2:1 wt/wt improved AH production during pyrolysis. The highest AH content of 89.38% in bio-oil was obtained from the 1:1:1 wt/wt biomass blend of AB:CW:DS with ZSM-5 at catalyst: biomass ratio of 2:1 wt/wt. Naphthalene, anthracene, and their methyl derivatives were the main AH found in these bio-oil. ASPEN PLUS simulation software successfully evaluated mass and energy flow through the entire pyrolysis system for the three pure biomass and their non-catalytic blends examined in this study. Heat duty of the pyrolysis reactor was lowest for DS (818.89 MJ/h), but highest for CW (1055.8 MJ/h) processing. Hence, blending biomass from different sources facilitates moderation of the overall energy requirement for the system while aiding production of AH-enriched bio-oils.

Keywords

Aromatic hydrocarbons / Bio-oil / Co-pyrolysis / Enthalpy / Heat Duty / ZSM-5

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Funding

ROBERT M. KERR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS CENTER, OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY - STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA, USA