Optimising ex-situ catalytic fast pyrolysis of pine wood at pilot scale: Impacts on the energy content, chemical composition and stability of the liquid fuel product

A central composite design was used to optimise the yield and higher heating value (HHV) of the liquid fuel produced through ex-situ catalytic fast pyrolysis of pine wood. The variables were the temperature and loading of H-ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst. GC/MS, H-1 NMR and stability tests were undertaken to compare the fuel properties of organic phases with similar HHVs, generated from catalytic treatments at low (<= 370 degrees C) and high (>= 470 degrees C) temperatures. When targeting an HHV of 32 MJ/kg, higher yields were obtained at low temperature and high catalyst loading, despite higher coke yield. Treatment at low temperature preserved more alkyl groups and made the fuel less aromatic (-13 % of aromatic hydrogen and lower content of C-rich hydrocarbons). Undesirable catalytic cracking of alkyl groups at higher temperature was evidenced by a 60 % increase in the production of hydrocarbon gases. Despite a higher oxygen content, the fuel produced at low temperature was also found to be more stable.

Automated summary

A central composite design was used to optimize the yield and HHV of liquid fuel produced through ex-situ catalytic fast pyrolysis of pine wood. The study found that lower temperature and higher catalyst loading resulted in higher yield, lower aromaticity, and greater stability of the fuel.