Catalytic Pyrolysis of Raw and Thermally Treated Lignin Using Different Acidic Zeolitese

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the temperature (500, 550, and 600 degrees C) and shape-selective zeolite catalyst of different acidity on the aromatic hydrocarbon yield from raw and torrefied lignin pyrolysis. Catalyst acidity was found to be highly favorable for aromatic hydrocarbon production in the case of both raw and torrefied lignin pyrolysis. A high amount of aromatic hydrocarbons (similar to 35 wt % C) was produced from torrefied lignin pyrolysis using a zeolite catalyst with a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 30 at 600 degrees C. Under the same conditions, the total carbon yield from catalytic pyrolysis of torrefied lignin was about 46 wt %. The study showed that torrefaction favors high aromatic hydrocarbon production from catalytic pyrolysis of lignin.