Pyrolytic oil production by catalytic pyrolysis of refuse-derived fuels: Investigation of low cost catalysts

• RDF pyrolyzed in laboratory scale fixed bed reactor with some catalysts.
• Spent ZSM-5 was used and its catalytic activity was improved by regeneration.
• RDF char and oyster shell showed significant catalytic activity.
• Physical properties of pyrolytic oil quite comparable to conventional diesel fuel.

Low cost catalytic pyrolysis options were studied by using spent and regenerated ZSM-5, RDF char and oyster shell in the pyrolysis of RDF. The pyrolysis was performed at a temperature of 500 °C, sweeping gas flow rate of 20 ml/min and heating rate of 10 °C/min. The catalysts were effective in reducing tar yield and oxygen content and increasing the organic fraction. ZSM-5 lost some activity after one use but regeneration helped to increase its effectiveness. The catalytic bio-oil had density, heating value and viscosity comparable to the conventional diesel fuel. Gases from catalytic pyrolysis have significant heating values ranging from 17.1 to 21.9 MJ/m3 but the use of the catalyst led to an increasing production of CO2. Catalyst use did not alter significantly the characteristics of the solid residue.