Fast microwave-assisted catalytic pyrolysis of sewage sludge for bio-oil production

Qinglong Xie; Peng Peng; Shiyu Liu; Min Min; Yanling Cheng; Yiqin Wan; Yun Li; Xiangyang Lin; Yuhuan Liu; Paul Chen; Roger Ruan

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2014.09.006

Fast microwave-assisted catalytic pyrolysis of sewage sludge for bio-oil production

Bioresour Technol. 2014 Nov:172:162-168. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.09.006. Epub 2014 Sep 10.

Authors

Qinglong Xie¹, Peng Peng¹, Shiyu Liu¹, Min Min¹, Yanling Cheng², Yiqin Wan³, Yun Li¹, Xiangyang Lin¹, Yuhuan Liu³, Paul Chen¹, Roger Ruan⁴

Affiliations

¹ Center for Biorefining and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.
² Center for Biorefining and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA; Biochemical Engineering College, Beijing Union University, No. 18, Fatouxili 3 Area, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100023, China.
³ Center for Biorefining and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA; Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center for Biomass Conversion, Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330047, China.
⁴ Center for Biorefining and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA; Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center for Biomass Conversion, Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330047, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 25260179
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.09.006

Abstract

In this study, fast microwave-assisted catalytic pyrolysis of sewage sludge was investigated for bio-oil production, with HZSM-5 as the catalyst. Pyrolysis temperature and catalyst to feed ratio were examined for their effects on bio-oil yield and composition. Experimental results showed that microwave is an effective heating method for sewage sludge pyrolysis. Temperature has great influence on the pyrolysis process. The maximum bio-oil yield and the lowest proportions of oxygen- and nitrogen-containing compounds in the bio-oil were obtained at 550°C. The oil yield decreased when catalyst was used, but the proportions of oxygen- and nitrogen-containing compounds were significantly reduced when the catalyst to feed ratio increased from 1:1 to 2:1. Essential mineral elements were concentrated in the bio-char after pyrolysis, which could be used as a soil amendment in place of fertilizer. Results of XRD analyses demonstrated that HZSM-5 catalyst exhibited good stability during the microwave-assisted pyrolysis of sewage sludge.

Keywords: Bio-oil; Microwave; Pyrolysis; Sewage sludge; Zeolite.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Biofuels*
Catalysis
Hot Temperature
Microwaves*
Sewage*
Waste Management*
X-Ray Diffraction
Zeolites

Substances

Biofuels
Sewage
Zeolites