Catalytic pyrolysis of Citrus unshiu peel over mesoporous catalysts

The ex-situ catalytic pyrolysis of Citrus unshiu peel was performed over mesoporous catalysts, Al-SBA-15 and Mesoporous Y, which have different acidity and structures. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, pore diameter, and temperature programmed desorption of NH₃ were measured to analyze the characteristics of the catalysts. A tandem micro reactor-GC/MS system was used for catalytic pyrolysis and product analysis. By applying catalytic pyrolysis, a large number of oxygen-containing compounds were upgraded to furans and aromatics with the formation of byproducts, such as light olefins, CO and CO₂. Mesoporous Y exhibited better performance for aromatic hydrocarbon formation than Al-SBA-15 owing to its medium-strength acidity and structural properties.