Production of syngas from controlled microwave-assisted pyrolysis of crude glycerol

• Main Authors: Leong, Swee Kim, Ani, Farid Nasir, Chong, Cheng Tung
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/97031/; http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.723.584
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Conversion of crude glycerol into synthesis gas was studied by using controlled microwave-assisted pyrolysis method. Pyrolysis of crude glycerol in the presence of carbonaceous catalyst was performed in a fixed bed reactor under oxygen-deficient environment using a domestic microwave. The effects of inert carrier gas flow rate and pyrolysis temperature on the product yield were investigated. Characterisation of the gaseous product showed that hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide are the main components in the gaseous product. High temperature and low inert carrier gas flow rate are effective in pyrolysing crude glycerol due to sufficient energy and residence time for complete cracking of vapour into small gaseous molecules. Peak hydrogen yield of 35.2% by volume was obtained at the carrier gas flow rate of 100 mL/min and 600°C.