Ceria promoted deoxygenation and denitrogenation of Thalassiosira weissflogii and its model compounds by catalytic in-situ pyrolysis

Tevfik Aysu; M Mercedes Maroto-Valer; Aimaro Sanna

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2016.02.050

Ceria promoted deoxygenation and denitrogenation of Thalassiosira weissflogii and its model compounds by catalytic in-situ pyrolysis

Bioresour Technol. 2016 May:208:140-148. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.02.050. Epub 2016 Feb 24.

Authors

Tevfik Aysu¹, M Mercedes Maroto-Valer², Aimaro Sanna³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, EH14 4AS Edinburgh, UK; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Education, Yuzuncu Yil University, 65080 Van, Turkey.
² Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, EH14 4AS Edinburgh, UK.
³ Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, EH14 4AS Edinburgh, UK. Electronic address: A.Sanna@hw.ac.uk.

PMID: 26938809
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.02.050

Abstract

Pyrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose, egg white powder, palm-jojoba oils mixtures Thalassiosira weissflogii model compounds was performed with CeO2 at 500°C, to evaluate its catalytic upgrading mechanism. Light organics, aromatics and aliphatics were originated from carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, respectively. Dehydration and decarboxylation were the main reactions involved in the algae and model compounds deoxygenation, while nitrogen was removed as NH3 and HCN. CeO2 increased decarbonylation reactions compared to in absence of catalyst, with production of ketones. The results showed that the catalysts had a significant effect on the pyrolysis products composition of T. weissflogii. CeO2, NiCeAl2O3 and MgCe/Al2O3 catalysts increased the aliphatics and decreased the oxygen content in bio-oils to 6-7 wt% of the algae starting O2 content. Ceria catalysts were also able to consistently reduce the N-content in the bio-oil to 20-38% of that in the parent material, with NiCe/Al2O3 being the most effective.

Keywords: Bio-oil; Catalytic pyrolysis; Ceria; Model compound; Thalassiosira weissflogii.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Ammonia / chemistry
Catalysis
Cellulose / chemistry
Cerium / chemistry*
Diatoms / chemistry*
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Nitrogen / chemistry
Oils / chemistry
Temperature

Substances

Oils
Cerium
ceric oxide
Ammonia
Cellulose
Nitrogen
microcrystalline cellulose