Catalytic conversion of Venice lagoon brown marine algae for producing hydrogen-rich gas and valuable biochemical using algal biochar and Ni/SBA-15 catalyst. (25th October 2018) - Taghavi, Somayeh
Abstract: This study investigated the catalytic behavior of two different types of materials: (i) algal biochar and (ii) 15 wt% Ni impregnated on SBA-15 support (Ni/SBA-15), in the thermochemical decomposition of Venice lagoon brown marine algae ( Sargassum ). First, non-catalytic pyrolysis tests were conducted in a temperature range of 400–800 °C in a dual-bed slow pyrolysis reactor. The optimum temperature for maximized liquid yield was at the temperature of 700 °C. Biochar catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity toward producing aromatic compounds via Diels-Alder-type reactions. However, Ni/SBA-15, because of interconnected pores provided easy passage for reactant and product during the catalytic pyrolysis process and resulted in an improvement in total gas yield (25.87 mmol/g Sargassum ) and hydrogen-rich gas production (8.54 mmol/g Sargassum ). The catalytic performances of both biochar and Ni/SBA-15 catalysts were compared to biochar-based catalysts derived from red and green macroalgae. High specific surface area, large pore volume, highly ordered pore structure, and narrow pore size distribution make SBA-15 a promising catalyst support in pyrolysis of biomass. Highlights: Algal biochar as a catalyst/catalyst support in the renewable fuel production. The effect of Ni/SBA-15 for producing biofuel and valuable chemicals. Hydrogen-rich gas in the presence of Ni/SBA-15. Phenol production in catalytic pyrolysis process using algal biochar.