STUDY ON THE CONVERSION OF PHENOLICS INTO AROMATICS OVER Me/HZSM-5 CATALYST

Abstract

The zeolite material ZSM-5 (Si/Al ratio = 25) was synthesized using a hydrothermal method with TEOS as
the silica source and TPAOH as the structure-directing agent. The zeolite was modified into the proton form
(HZSM-5) and was dispersed on the surface with zinc oxide or iron oxide at different concentrations using
the wet impregnation method. The results showed that the catalyst materials HZSM-5, Zn/HZSM-5, and
Fe/HZSM-5 maintained the porous structure of zeolite ZSM-5. These materials were used as catalysts for
the pyrolysis of guaiacol in an inert gas environment (N2) with temperatures ranging from 500 to 700 °C.
The conversion of guaiacol to aromatic hydrocarbons on the catalyst was evaluated through the conversion
of guaiacol, the conversion to aromatic hydrocarbons, and the selectivity of aromatic hydrocarbons. The
results indicated that the catalysts 3 wt.% Zn/HZSM-5 and 2 wt.% Fe/HZSM-5 were the most suitable for the
conversion of guaiacol at a reaction temperature of 600 °C. The conversion of guaiacol to aromatic
hydrocarbons on the catalysts 3 wt.% Zn/HZSM-5 and 2 wt.% Fe/HZSM-5 was 13.80% and 39.18%,
respectively. On the other hand, the presence of zinc oxide or iron oxide on the surface of the HZSM-5
catalyst reduced the formation of coke during the pyrolysis of guaiacol. The results of this study would be
applied to upgrading biomass pyrolysis oil into fuel.