Thermocatalytic pyrolysis of Sesbania bispinosa biomass over Y-zeolite catalyst towards clean fuel and valuable chemicals

The thermocatalytic pyrolysis of Sesbania bispinosa (SB) biomass was performed in a cylindrical-shaped pyrolyzer to produce renewable fuel and chemicals. The important process parameters, such as temperature, heating rate, and N₂ flow rate, were optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM). Pyrolysis of the SB biomass was also performed at different catalyst to biomass ratios (C/B) (1:3, 1:6, 1:9, and 1:12). The pyrolysis findings indicated that normal pyrolysis produced a greater yield of bio-oil (42.53 wt %) than catalytic pyrolysis (40.71 wt %) that obtained at 1:9 C/B ratio. The use of catalyst reduced the yield of bio-oil; however, fuel characteristics get enhanced. FTIR analysis of normal and catalytic bio-oil verified the existence of different functional groups, whereas GCMS result at optimized pyrolysis condition confirmed increased hydrocarbons in the catalytic bio-oil. Further, the characterization result of the biochar revealed its potential for use in a variety of industrial and agricultural applications.