Investigating the effect of nano-nickel-based catalyst Ni-Me/HZSM-5 on in situ catalytic pyrolysis of distillers dried grains with solubles

The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of nano-nickel-based catalyst Ni-Me/HZSM-5 (Me = Mg, K, Zn) on in situ catalytic pyrolysis of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in N-2 at 550 degrees C. The results showed that, after incorporation of Me into Ni/HZSM-5, the specific composite oxides such as Ni0.9Zn0.1O and NiMgO2 were formed, accompanying with Ni species and Me-promoter being dispersed highly, the changes in amount and strength of acidity, pore size, specific surface area, and crystallite size. These changes originated mainly from the particular interaction between Ni and Me species, creating some novel performances for catalysts in the pyrolysis. Specifically, all catalysts produced plenty of organosilicon compounds (50 similar to 60%) with different ratios of Alkoxy-organosilicon-compounds to Cyclo-organosilicon-compound. Although Ni-Zn/HZSM-5 exhibited medium ability to drive reforming of methane with CO2 forwards, it possessed strongest ability to produce H-2 (56.34 vol.%) among all catalysts, which was verified strongly by the maximum ratio (7.28) of Alkoxy-organosilicon-compounds to Cyclo-organosilicon-compound, and the minimum ratio (0.69) of 2-Furaldehyde to 2-Furanmethanol in corresponding bio-oil. The reasons involved above resulted from not only the apparatus of pyrolysis but also the interactions between Ni and Me over Ni-Me/HZSM-5. The work might provide a practical way to explore bioenergy and biomaterials from biomass or its residue via thermo-catalytic conversions.