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

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.