Upgrading the characteristics of the bio-oil obtained from rapeseed oil cake pyrolysis through the catalytic treatment of its vapors

Abstract The present work is aimed to investigate the upgrading of rapeseed oil cake pyrolysis bio-oil (PBO) through catalytic treatment of its vapors in a fixed bed reactor. In this regard, HZSM-5 zeolite and promoted Fe 2 O 3 /ZSM-5 samples were prepared. The HZSM-5 zeolite was synthesized by NaOH treatment and then it was used as support material to obtain Fe 2 O 3 -ZSM-5 catalysts (2.5-10 wt% Fe 2 O 3 load) produced by metalorganic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD). The support material and catalysts prepared were characterized by BET, XRD, SEM, EDX methods. The Fe 2 O 3 -ZSM-5 catalysts were then used in the study on improving the characteristics of the rapeseed oil cake pyrolysis bio-oil through catalytic treatment of its vapors.The results obtained by non-catalytic and catalytic pyrolysis experiments showed that bio-oil yields have decreased in the presence of catalysts. In addition, the bio-oil composition was determined by GC/MS method and it was observed that Fe 2 O 3 /ZSM-5 catalyst lead to a significant improved quality of the pyrolysis bio-oil in comparison with product obtained by non-catalytic process. The catalyst improved the oxygen removal process from the organic phase of pyrolysis bio-oil and further increased the quantity of desirable products such as aromatic and phenolics compounds.