Renewable aromatics through catalytic pyrolysis of coconut fiber (Cocos nucífera Linn.) using low cost HZSM-5

Renewable aromatic compounds with high commercial value were generated through catalytic pyrolysis of a residual biomass using a low cost HZSM-5 catalysts. The residual coconut fiber (CF) was characterized by bulk density, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content, HHV, TG/DTG in order to analyze its energy potential, and ash chemical composition by XRF. A high production of oxygenated products was observed in the conventional coconut fiber pyrolysis Py-GC/MS at 500 °C. The catalytic pyrolysis was performed using HZSM-5 catalysts synthesized using granite dust residue (G), diatomite residue (D) and rice husk ash (RHA) as alternative sources of Si and Al. The catalysts were characterized by TG/DTG, FTIR, specific area, XRF e XRD. The results presented in this work show that the catalysts were able to deoxygenate pyrolysis products, generating renewable aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene, xylene, among others. The aromatic yield increased with increased specific area of catalyst which was directly influenced by its crystallite size. The highest aromatic content was found for DRHA-HZSM-5 synthesized with D residue and RHA, confirming the best performance in the conversion of oxygenates into mono and polycyclic aromatics compounds which confirms the efficiency of catalysts over conventional HZSM-5.