Evaluation of the Catalytic Effect of Y-Zeolite Content in An FCC Catalyst On the Pyrolysis of Hybrid Poplar

Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst is mostly used for the conversion of crude oil into gasoline and other hydrocarbons. Using FCC catalyst for catalytic biomass conversion is crucial in finding an economical pathway for the production of stable quality bio oils. FCC catalysts generally contain Zeolite Y (faujasite), clay, active-matrix, and binder. In our studies, we investigated the performance of kaolin, ZSM-5 based additive, and four FCC catalysts of different acidity and faujasites content on the catalytic cracking of hybrid poplar. We tested for both fresh and steam regenerated of each catalyst. The pyrolysis was conducted in a bench scale bubbling fluidized bed pyrolysis reactor at 450oC with a weight hourly space velocity of 1 h-1. The effect of each catalyst was established on the bio oil quality and the pyrolytic product yields. 13CNMR and FTIR analysis of the various oils showed different degree of deoxygenation, demethoxylation and decarboxylation. The ultimate performance of the FCC catalyst was highly dependent on the Y-faujasite content. Additionally, the lack of observable catalytic cracking in the use of kaolin suggests that the activity of the FCC catalyst on biomass pyrolysis can be attributed mainly to the Y-zeolite content.