Deoxygenation of Bio-oil from Calcium-Rich Paper-Mill Waste

De-inking sludge, an ash-rich recycling paper solid waste, is generated in huge amounts. The catalytic deoxygenation potential of calcium-based de-inking sludge in co-pyrolysis mode with wood and its neat thermal conversion to sustainable biofuels are investigated. Wood, de-inking sludge, and their blends are processed in a thermocatalytic reforming (TCR) system. In the presence of de-inking sludge, the oxygen content in the organic phase decreases and the bio-oil calorific value improves as compared to the neat wood-derived bio-oil. The TCR processing of neat de-inking sludge produces a bio-oil with low oxygen content and higher calorific value.

Automated summary

The study found that the catalytic deoxygenation potential of calcium-based de-inking sludge in co-pyrolysis mode with wood can improve the calorific value and reduce the oxygen content of bio-oil. Processing of neat de-inking sludge in a TCR system produces bio-oil with lower oxygen content and higher calorific value.