Effect of single metal (Ni, Fe, Co, Cu) supported biochar catalyst on the distribution of pyrolysis products of tobacco stalks

Economical biochar-supported catalysts prove highly effective in catalytic pyrolysis. This study focuses on the synthesis of four single-metal (Ni, Fe, Co, Cu) catalysts on ZnCl2-modified biochar sourced from tobacco stalks. Their impact on the pyrolysis product distribution from tobacco stalks was assessed. The modified biochar, with an impressive SBET of 1175.63 m2/g and total pore volume of 0.81 cm3/g, was found to effectively load active metals, with loadings exceeding 9.93 %. These catalysts, derived from tobacco stalk char, demonstrated superior catalytic performance, significantly boosting the value of pyrolysis products. Notably, the Fe-C catalyst achieved a remarkable pyrolysis gas yield of 49.04 %, attributed to its large pore structure. The catalysts not only elevated the phenol content in pyrolysis oil but also improved the selectivity for valuable compounds such as Phenol, 2-methoxyphenol, and isoeugenol. The Co-C catalyst, with its robust secondary cracking capability, led to the highest H2 yield of 46.12 % in pyrolysis gas and the richest C6-C11 component content of 79.59 % in pyrolysis oil. Preliminary economic assessments reveal that the Fe-C and Co-C catalysts hold significant potential for tobacco stalk catalytic pyrolysis, with the potential to generate annual revenues of $467,560 and $427,465, respectively.