Pyrolysis of kraft lignin in molten ZnCl,-KCl media with - tetralin vapor addition

Kraft lignin was pyrolyzed in molten salt media of ZnC1,-KCI mixture with tetralin vapor added in 0.4 and 4 mol% diluted with N, in the temperature range of 400 to 700°C. The gas chromatographic analyses of pyrolysis products revealed that the yield of H, was not increased by tetralin vapor addition. This fact implies that the hydrogen radical produced from tetralin is consumed in the formation of phenolic compounds and light liquids but not in the formation of H,. p-Cresol was the most abundant phenolic compound. The yield of total phenolic compounds with 4 mol% tetralin vapor added was increased by ca. 80% as compared to that in neat pyrolysis of Kraft lignin.