Pyrolysis of soybean soapstock for hydrocarbon bio-oil over a microwave-responsive catalyst in a series microwave system

A novel Silicon carbide (SiC) foam ceramic based ZSM-5/SiC nanowires microwave-responsive catalyst was developed to upgrade the pyrolysis volatiles in a microwave-assisted series system (both the pyrolysis and catalytic systems were heated by microwave). The growth of SiC nanowires was helpful for the ZSM-5 growth on the SiC foam ceramic. Because the specific surface area of SiC foam ceramic was improved. The dielectric properties of the composite catalyst were improved due to the growth of SiC nanowires. Bio-oil composition analysis showed that area percentage of hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons could reach 80.89% and 40.48% at catalytic temperature of 450 degrees Cand 500 degrees C, respectively. The microwave-responsive composite catalyst had good aromatization performance in microwave-assisted series system due to high dielectric properties and specific surface area. The composite catalyst performed well after five-cycle regeneration, and the hydrocarbon content could still reach 76.40%, which is 80.89% for the original catalyst.

Automated summary

The growth of SiC nanowires improved the specific surface area and dielectric properties of the ZSM-5/SiC nanowires catalyst, leading to good aromatization performance in a microwave-assisted series system. The composite catalyst performed well even after five-cycle regeneration, maintaining a high hydrocarbon content similar to the original catalyst.