Production of aromatic compounds from catalytic fast pyrolysis of Jatropha residues using metal/HZSM-5 prepared by ion-exchange and impregnation methods

Metal based-zeolite catalysts were successfully prepared by two different methods including ion-exchange and wet impregnation. HZSM-5 synthesized by hydrothermal method at 160 degrees C was used as a support for loading metals including Co, Ni, Mo, Ga and Pd. The metal/HZSM-5 had surface area and pore size of 530-677 m(2)/g and 22.9-26.0 angstrom. Non- and catalytic fast pyrolysis of Jatropha residues using metal/HZSM-5 were studied using an analytical pyrolysis-GC/MS at 500 degrees C. Non-catalytic pyrolysis vapors contained primarily high levels acid (50.7%), N-containing compounds (20.3%), other oxygenated compounds including ketones, alcohols, esters, ethers, phenols and sugars (25.0%), while generated small amount of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons of 3.0% and 1.0%. The addition of synthesized metal/ HZSM-5 improved the aromatic selectivity up to 91-97% and decreased the undesirable oxygenated (0.6-4.0%) and N-containing compounds (1.8-4.6%). The aromatic selectivity produced by metal-ion exchanged catalysts was slightly higher than that produced by impregnated ones. At high catalyst content (biomass to catalyst ratio of 1:10), Mo/HZSM-5 showed the highest aromatic selectivity of 97% for ion-exchanged catalysts and Ga/HZSM-5 revealed the highest aromatics of 95% for impregnated catalysts. The formation of aromatic compounds could be beneficial to improve calorific values of bio-oils. The presence of metal/HZSM-5 from both preparation methods greatly enhanced MAHs selectivity including benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX), while substantially reduced unfavorable PAHs such as napthalenes. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.