Catalytic pyrolysis of oil palm mesocarp fibre on a zeolite derived from low-cost oil palm ash

Oil palm mesocarp fibre (OPMF) was pyrolysed on zeolite synthesised from oil palm ash (OPAZ) by using a slow heating fixed-bed reactor at 400 °C-600 °C. The maximum bio-oil yield of OPAZ-catalysed pyrolysis at 550 °C was 37.98 wt%, which was higher than that of non-catalytic pyrolysis (31.95 wt%) at the same temperature. GC-MS revealed the extensive variety of oxygenated organic compounds in the bio-oils derived from the non-catalytic and catalytic pyrolysis. Catalytic pyrolysis increased the amount of light phenol relative to that of heavy phenols and remarkably reduced the amount of acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons and hydrocyclic compounds. The oxygen content of the bio-oil decreased, resulting in enhanced fuel potential of the bio-oil and other valuable chemicals. The morphology and textural characteristics of OPAZ sustained the propensity of the catalyst-driven pyrolysis by upgrading the OPMF pyrolysis oil into a fuel-grade bio-oil.