Experimental study of hydrocarbon structure effects on the composition of its pyrolysis products

Pyrolysis experiments aimed at measuring product yields and conversion of various hydrocarbons were carried out in a micro-pyrolysis laboratory reactor. Standard pyrolysis conditions were used for all samples—810 °C, 400 kPa and 0.2–0.4 s residence time in the reaction zone. Analysis of products was performed by on-line GC/FID/TCD. All pyrolysis products from hydrogen to pyrolysis oil were detected either individually or by fractions. Detailed compositions of the pyrolysis products of 56 hydrocarbons were obtained and are included completely in the article. The study involved hydrocarbons, which represent the wide structural variability, including linear, branched, cyclic, aromatic and unsaturated. Measured data were used to identify important relationships between structural parameters and product yields. Trends of important product yields, depending on the carbon number, molecule saturation, substitution, ring presence and substitution or a substituent size are presented.