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.