A Study Of Optimization Of Solar Pyrolysis And Catalyst Recovery And Reuse

The use of renewable energy sources in the pyrolysis process for bio-oil production has gained a renewed interest. In this work, ex-situ catalytic solar pyrolysis (ECSP) of microalgae was performed using Mg-Al mixed oxides catalyst derived from hydrotalcite. The effects of biomass loading, reaction time, and catalyst percentage on the pyrolysis product were investigated. The condition that maximizes simultaneously the bio-oil yield and its hydrocarbon content was obtained in an optimization study. A study of the effect of catalyst reuse on the pyrolysis process was also performed. The results showed that high yields of bio-oil were found when intermediary values of independent variables were used. The use of the catalyst derived from hydrotalcite improved the quality of bio-oil, promoting a reduction of oxygenated compounds and forming aromatic and long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons. High bio-oil yield (38.55%) with high hydrocarbon content (32.65%) was achieved under the optimal conditions. The study of the catalyst reuse showed that the structure and surface area of fresh and regenerated catalyst were very similar. In addition, the hydrocarbon content of bio-oil did not significantly change after three pyrolysis cycles.