Insight into catalytic pyrolysis of palm fronds over MFI, BEA, and FAU framework types of zeolite extrudate

Catalytic pyrolysis of palm fronds using zeolite extrudates having different topology (MFI, BEA, and FAU) and SiO2/Al2O3 ratio (1.22–1.86) has been investigated in a fixed bed reactor at 500 °C with catalyst-to-feed ratio (C/F) of 0.16 g/g in comparison with non-catalytic pyrolysis. The gas and bio-oil products of catalytic pyrolysis were correlated to the zeolite topology and acidity. The presence of zeolite extrudate during palm fronds pyrolysis decreased the bio-oil yield while at the same time increasing the gas yield compared to non-catalytic pyrolysis implying simultaneous conversion of bio-oil pyrolysis products into gas-phase products. The bio-oil analysis revealed the presence of furan and aromatics which were absent in the non-catalytic process. Gas-phase product analysis detected a significant increase in CO and CO2 yield implying catalytic pyrolysis promoted decarbonylation and decarboxylation. Among the zeolite extrudates, MFI and BEA-1 were more effective for the deoxygenation reaction at a low C/F ratio (0.16 g/g) because they produced gas containing higher hydrocarbons than FAU and BEA-2.