Microwave co-pyrolysis of Chlorella vulgaris and tea oilseed residues under metal-organic frameworks derived catalysts

Abstract

The co-pyrolysis of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) and tea oilseed residue (TR) is beneficial for improving the pyrolysis characteristics and bio-oil quality. In this study, the effects of different added amounts (5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 %) of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derived catalysts (Cu/C, Co/C, Cu-Co/C) on the co-pyrolysis of CV and TR were investigated using microwave pyrolysis oven. The results showed that the MOFs derived catalysts improved the co-pyrolysis reaction; the maximum average reaction rate (R_v, 0.02466 wt%/s), and the minimum reaction time (T_s, 2900 s) were obtained at 20 % Cu-Co/C. In addition, 15 % Co/C obtained the highest bio-oil yield, which reached 23.26 wt%. In the case of bio-char, the highest yield (29.83 wt%) was obtained at 5 % Cu-Co/C. Finally, GC-MS analysis showed that compared to C1T1 (CV:TR = 1:1), the Cu/C and Cu-Co/C catalysts increased the hydrocarbon content in bio-oil by 7.68 % and 9.68 % respectively, while reducing the contents of phenols and amines, whereas Co/C reduced the ester content of bio-oil by 19.14 %.