Catalytic pyrolysis of ulva lactuca macroalgae: Effects of mono and bimetallic catalysts and reaction parameters on bio-oil up-gradation

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2021-03, Vol.324, p.124594-124594, Article 124594
• Main Authors: Verma, Rameshwari, Verma, Santosh K., Verma, Vandana, Verma, Shekhar, Vaishnav, Yogesh, Jena, Vinod, Kumar, Amit, Rakesh, K.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biofuels; Catalysis; Catalytic pyrolysis; Hot Temperature; Metal catalyst; Plant Oils; Polyphenols; Pyrolysis; Seaweed; Ulva; Ulva lactuca macroalgae; Up-graded bio-oil
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124594

[Display omitted] •Catalytic pyrolysis of macroalgae studied over mono and bimetallic catalyst.•Maximum bio-oil (49.2 wt%) was obtained with Co-Ni/ZrO2 catalyst.•Higher % of hydrocarbon compounds was obtained with catalysts.•Advance catalyst achieved using Co-Ni impregnation to promote bio-oil quality. Catalytic pyrolysis of ulva lactuca (UL) macroalgae was studied over a series of ZrO2 supported metal such as Co, Ni and Co-Ni metal catalysts at temperature range of 300–500 °C. Highest bio-oil yield (47.8 wt%) was found with Co-Ni/ZrO2 (10 wt%) catalyst while non-catalytic yielded 42.5 wt% bio-oil. Moreover with increases the metal amount to 15 wt%, the bio-oil yield slightly increased (49.2 wt%). The bio-oil quality significantly improved with using the catalysts compared to the non-catalytic pyrolysis. Catalytic pyrolysis also revealed that introducing Co-Ni into the ZrO2 could result in higher surface area and which increased active sites. Catalytic bio-oils were consisted of mainly long chain hydrocarbon in the range of C6-C16. Moreover, the catalytic bio-oils were showed the higher ‘high heating value’ (HHV) 38.1 MJ/kg as compare to non-catalytic bio-oils (29.4 MJ/kg). Catalysts have been showed excellent recyclability on bio-oil yield and compounds selectivity.