Catalytic Pyrolysis of Kapok Fiber for Production of Olefins

Pyrolysis of kapok fibers over mesoporous molecular sieves of MCM-41, Zr-MCM-41 and Cr-MCM-41 (the mole ratio of Si:Zr or Si/Cr=50) was studied by using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Pure silicon MCM-41 showed weak acidity during pyrolysis with furfural as the main product. Zr-MCM-41 showed the dual-functionality of acid and base with both furfural and hydroxy acetone present in the products. Cr-MCM-41 was more acidic with more furfural produced. The optimal conditions for producing olefins were found to be 600°C and the ratio of kapok fiber to catalyst being 1:10 with the Zr-MCM-41 catalyst. The main products obtained via pyrolysis of kapok fiber were acetic acid, furfural, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, olefins, and alkanes. The excess of the catalyst and the high temperature of the reaction had certain effects on the pyrolysis of biomass to produce olefins, such as 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-undecene, 1-tridecene and heptadecane.  Citation:  Qiu, Q., Cai, Y., Ye, Q., and Lv, W. (2019). Catalytic Pyrolysis of Kapok Cellulose. Trends in Renewable Energy, 5, 218-228. DOI: 10.17737/tre.2019.5.2.0097