The Effect of Fast Pyrolysis of Sunflower Oil Cake on Product Yields and Properties under Catalyst and Non-Catalyst Conditions

Within the scope of this study, the effects of fast pyrolysis of sunflower oil cake on obtained product yields and product properties were investigated under non-catalytic condition and using clinoptilolite catalyst. The percentages of moisture, ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon content of sunflower oil cake used as raw material within the scope of the research were determined as 5.92%, 6.08%, 71.30% and 16.70%, respectively. According to the its elemental analysis results, the percentages of C, H, N and S were determined as 42.06%, 6.26%, 6.93%, 0.00%, respectively. The heating value was calculated as 17.13 MJ/kg. For this aim firstly, the effects of heating rate (100, 200, 300./min), pyrolysis temperature (400, 500, 600.) and catalyst percentages (5%, 10%, 15%) on product yields (biochar, biooil and pyrolysis gas) were investigated. In the experiments conducted with the addition of clinoptilolite catalyst during fast pyrolysis of sunflower oil cake, it was determined that the catalyst did not change the solid product yield much, it considerably reduced the liquid product yield and increased the gas product yield. In the biochar samples, the highest heating value was obtained as 22.95 MJ/kg at 300 degrees C/min heating rate and 500. pyrolysis temperature conditions without catalyst. When the microscopic structure (SEM analysis) of the biochar samples was examined, it was understood that the porosity increased compared to the raw material. It was determined that the heating values of the pyrolysis gas samples obtained under the non catalyst-free condition were higher than those of the samples obtained under the non-catalytic condition. The highest lower heating value for obtained gas samples was obtained as 29.05 MJ/Nm(3) at 400 degrees C temperature and 100 degrees C/min heating rate conditions Bio oil samples obtained by pyrolysis of sunflower oil cake at different temperatures and different heating rate with and without catalyst were examined by GC-MS method, and it was determined that especially phenol compounds ( Phenol, Phenol, 2-methoxy-) were found in almost every sample. In addition, aromatic compounds such as Pyrazine-methyl, Pyrazine 2,6-dimethyl-(CAS) 2,6-Dimethylpyrazine have also been detected.