Catalytic pyrolysis of Paulownia wood and bio-oil characterization

This study focused on the catalytic pyrolysis of Paulownia (P. elongota) wood. The effects of ZSM-5, Na2CO3, sepiolite, and catalyst ratio (10-80% by wood weight) on product yields and bio-oil composition were investigated. In pyrolysis experiments, 500 degrees C pyrolysis temperature, 50 degrees C min(-1) heating rate, and 100 mL min(-1) N-2 flow rate were kept as constant. The catalyst type and catalyst ratio changed the product yields and bio-oil compositions. Pyrolysis conversion was increased for all catalyst types. Maximum liquid product yields were obtained as 63.26 wt%, 56.18 wt%, and 54.59 wt% with the ZSM-5, Na2CO3 and sepiolite, respectively, at 10 wt% catalyst ratio. For all catalysts, it was determined that the liquid and solid yields reduce and the gas product yield rises with the catalyst ratio. The bio-oil characterization was performed with elemental analysis, FTIR, (HNMR)-H-1, and GC-MS techniques. The bio-oil composition was determined to consist of alkanes, carboxylic acids, ketones, esters, benzenes, and phenols.