A study of fast pyrolysis of plant biomass assisted by the conversion of volatile products using Fe(Co, Ni)/ZSM-5 catalysts

Abstract This paper discusses the study of plant waste thermocatalytic conversion. The dependence of the conversion of agricultural waste on the pyrolysis temperature, reaction time and feedstock particle size was determined. The optimal temperature of fast pyrolysis providing the highest yield of gaseous products (over 30 wt. %) for all types of waste plant biomass was found to be 700 ºC. This temperature allows the lowest tar content in gases to be obtained. Further, ZSM-5 synthetic zeolites modified with iron subgroup metals were studied in the conversion of volatile products obtained by the fast pyrolysis of agricultural waste. It was found that the use of zeolite-based catalysts in the upgrading of gaseous products leads to a decrease in tar content and the increase in the volume concentration of С1-С4 hydrocarbons, CO, CO2, and hydrogen in comparison with the non-catalytic process.