Fast Pyrolysis of Sunflower Oil in the Presence of Microporous and Mesoporous Materials for Production of Bio-Oil

The present work describes the study of micro (H-ZSM-5) and mesoporous (AL-MCM-41) structures, aiming at their application in the production of renewable fuels through the thermos-catalytic pyrolysis process both were synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption, and surface acidity. The catalytic effect of the materials mentioned, as well as their mechanical mixtures in the proportions of H-ZSM-5 (75% wt) and AL-MCM-41 (25% wt); H-ZSM-5 (50% wt) and AL-MCM-41 (50% wt); H-ZSM-5 (25% wt) and AL-MCM-41 (75% wt) were used in the thermal and thermo-catalytic pyrolysis of sunflower oil. The products obtained in the presence of H-ZSM-5 (25% wt) and AL-MCM-41(75% wt) showed selectivity for the conversion of hydrocarbons between C11 and C16, which is near that of the petroleum-derived kerosene and diesel (>C16). On the other hand, the H-ZSM-5 (75% wt) and AL-MCM-41 (25% wt) material, in which the majoritarian catalyst is the microporous, with active sites and a higher surface acidity, indicates selectivity for light hydrocarbons (C5-C10), in the range of gasoline obtained by the conversion of mineral oil. The presence of catalysts (AL-MCM-41and H-ZSM-5) favors the deoxygenation of the pyrolysis products of sunflower oil by decarbonylation reaction.