Comparative Study of H-ZSM 5 Zeolite and Graphite Nanofiber (GNF) in Catalytic Pyrolysis of Oil Palm Fronds (OPF)

Abstract

In keeping an eye on the goal of a sustainable chemical and energy industry, bio-oil produced from biomass fast pyrolysis liquefaction has aroused great interests and attentions among various stakeholders. In present paper, carbon-based catalyst, Graphite Nanofiber (GNF) was employed to investigate and evaluate its potential in thermal pyrolysis of Oil Palm Frond (OPF).  The pyrolysis was carried out in a semi batch reactor which was externally heated by an electrical vertical split tube furnace. 15g of OFP biomass with 1.5g of catalysts is thermally decomposed at two distinct temperatures of 573K and 773K, producing a solid char residue and a liquefied vapour product after passing through a condenser. Comparative study of both catalyst performances in thermal pyrolysis of OPF was conducted in term of selectivity and conversion. Between Zeolite ZSM-5 and GNF, GNF catalysts achieved a better conversion performance in transforming a total of 66.57 wt% and 72.40 wt% of biomass into vapour and liquid products at 573K and 773K respectively. On the other hand, H-ZSM 5 Zeolite catalyst yields the highest selectivity of 64.33  wt% toward condensable vapour components at 773K with a remarkably high bio-oil yield of 45.71 wt%. Such superior results strengthened the fact of H-ZSM 5 Zeolite catalysts being the more effective catalyst than GNF in catalytic pyrolysis of OPF.