Promoted ketonization of bagasse pyrolysis gas over red mud-based oxides

Ketonization of bagasse pyrolysis gas was performed over red mud-based oxides. The maximum yield of ketones in the catalytic conversion of bagasse pyrolysis gas over original red mud was 18.66% at 420 °C. To promote the oxidability of red mud and obtain a higher yield of ketones, the effect of metal oxides (CeO2, MnO2, TiO2, CaO, ZrO2) loading and loading amount of CeO2 on red mud on ketonization of bagasse pyrolysis gas were studied. The highest yield of ketones of 27.86% was obtained over red mud-based oxides with 40 wt% CeO2 loading. The oxidability of the catalyst was enhanced greatly by the high loading of CeO2, leading to the peroxidation of acetone as the side reaction. To control the oxidability and cut costs, bimetallic oxides were loaded on red mud. The yield of ketones reached 30.12% over the composite red mud catalyst with the loading of 20 wt% CeO2 and 20 wt% MnO2. The rough coating of MnO2 on the surface of red mud was beneficial to the loading of CeO2, resulting in smaller and more uniform grains. This study provides the efficient utilization of red mud and biomass as solid wastes for high-valued chemicals and fuels.