Catalytic pyrolysis of date palm seeds on HZSM-5 and dolomite in a pyroprobe reactor in line with GC/MS

Catalytic pyrolysis of date palm seeds (DPS) has been carried out in a pyroprobe connected online with a GC/MS. The effect of a HZSM-5 zeolite on the product distribution has been studied at 450 and 500 degrees C by using different catalyst/biomass mass ratios (1, 2, 5) and that of a dolomite catalyst at 450 degrees C using a catalyst/biomass mass ratio of one. Product distributions have been monitored and their trends explained based on the properties of the catalysts used. The HZSM-5 promotes the formation of incondensable gases and aromatic hydrocarbons due to its high acidity and shape selectivity. The concentrations of incondensable gases and hydrocarbons increase markedly with the catalyst/biomass mass ratio, with their peak area percentages ranging from 23.6 to 54.1% and from 7.1 to 24.5%, respectively. At the same time, a significative reduction in the amount of acids, ketones, phenols, furans, and anhydrosugars has been determined. The dolomite catalyst enhances ketonization reactions, which leads to a significant increase in the content of ketones, accounting for a value of around 27%.

Automated summary

This study investigates the catalytic pyrolysis of date palm seeds and finds that HZSM-5 zeolite promotes the production of incondensable gases and aromatic hydrocarbons, while dolomite catalyst increases the content of ketones.