Catalytic upgrading pyrolysis vapors of Jatropha waste using metal promoted ZSM-5 catalysts: An analytical PY-GC/MS

HZSM-5 with high surface area of 625 m2/g was successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method at 160 °C for 72 h. The metal promoted on HZSM-5 catalyst was prepared by liquid ion exchange method. From XRD results, the addition of metals such as Co and Ni did not change the HZSM-5 structure. The metal/HZSM-5 showed lower crystallinity and surface area than the parent HZSM-5 because of the metal dispersion on the HZSM-5 surface. The metal contents of Co/HZSM-5 and Ni/HZSM-5 detected by EDX were less than 1 wt%. Catalytic fast pyrolysis of Jatropha waste using HZSM-5 and metals/HZSM-5 was investigated in terms of biomass to catalyst ratios (1:0, 1:1, 1:5 and 1:10) and types of metals (Co and Ni). From the results, it can be concluded that both biomass to catalyst ratios and the presence of metals had an effect on the increase in aromatic hydrocarbons yields as well as the decrease in the oxygenated and N-containing compounds. Both Co/HZSM-5 and Ni/HZSM-5 promoted the production of aliphatic compounds. Additionally, the PAHs compounds such as napthalenes and indenes, which caused the formation of coke, could be inhibited by metal/HZSM-5, particularly, Ni/HZSM-5. Among catalysts, Ni/HZSM-5 showed the highest hydrocarbon yield of 97.55% with N-containing compounds remained only 1.78%. The formation of hydrocarbon compounds increased the heating values of bio-oils while the elimination of the undesirable oxygenated compounds such as acids and ketones could alleviate problem regarding acidity and instability in bio oils.