Effect of high-pressure pyrolysis on syngas and char structure of petroleum coke

Petroleum coke, a byproduct of petroleum refining, is considered a potential alternative fuel owing to its low ash content and high calorific value. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the pyrolysis process and its potential applications by investigating the effect of pressure on the pyrolysis of petroleum coke, focusing on changes in its syngas composition and char structure. High-pressure pyrolysis was employed to explore structural changes, decomposition pathways, and gas production. High pressures increase the residence time and promote secondary pyrolysis, leading to the increased production of hydrogen. Also, high pressure can promote gasification reactions such as methanation. The influence of pressure on the chemical and physical structures of the produced char was also observed. Higher pressures resulted in more active secondary pyrolysis, causing a decrease in the aromatic groups and an increase in the aliphatic and oxygen-containing groups in the char. The surface area and porosity of char increased at higher pressures, enhancing its reactivity and gasification rate. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the effects of pressure on petroleum coke pyrolysis, shedding light on its potential as an alternative energy resource and highlighting changes in gas composition and char structure under various pressure conditions.