catalytic upgrading of bio-oil from ulva lactuca using amberlyst-15 catalyst: experimental and kinetic model

Catalytic pyrolysis of ulva lactuca macroalgae was studied over amberlyst-15 catalyst at temperature 400, 500, and 600 °c. the comparison between catalytic and non-catalytic pyrolysis in the conversion of ulva lactuca was determined. intriguingly, it was found that amberlyst-15 catalyst improved bio-oil production efficiency. the highest bio-oil yield of 29.54 wt% was achieved at 600 °c with the presence of an amberlyst-15 catalyst. furthermore, amberlyst-15 catalyst could enhance gas production by over 73.88%. it could be attributed due to the catalytic pyrolysis could promote more small molecules that are more volatile through a cracking process. elemental and functional groups in pyrolytic bio-oils were identified via gc-ms analysis. the acidity and structure of amberlyst-15 catalyst significantly affected the distribution of product components, especially the formation of aromatic hydrocarbons, with a 27.78% relative yield. the first-order kinetic model showed that the production of aromatic hydrocarbons follows arrhenius law.