Catalytic pyrolysis of rice husk for bio-oil production

Catalytic pyrolysis experiments have been carried out on Brunei rice husk (BRH) to obtain bio-oil using a fixed-bed pyrolysis rig. ZSM-5, Al-MCM-41, Al-MSU-F and Brunei rice husk ash (BRHA) were used as the catalysts for the catalytic pyrolysis experiments and comparison was done to analyse the changes in the bio-oil properties and yield. Properties of the liquid catalytic and non-catalytic bio-oil were analysed in terms of water content, pH, acid number, viscosity, density and calorific value. The bio-oil chemical composition shows that ZSM-5 increases the production of aromatic hydrocarbons and light phenols, whilst Al-MCM-41 reduces the acetic acid production. The catalytic runs increased the calorific value and water content in the bio-oil, whilst viscosity, density and acid number is decreased.

► ZSM-5 is seen as a strong catalyst for the production of aromatic hydrocarbons and light phenols, and Al-MCM-41 for reducing the acetic acid in the bio-oil. ► The catalytic runs increased the calorific value and water content in the bio-oil, whilst viscosity, density and acid number is decreased. ► BRHA can be a cheaper alternative to the zeolite catalysts, and have shown to improve the bio-oil quality reasonably.