Fast corn stalk pyrolysis and the influence of catalysts on product distribution

Fast pyrolysis of corn stalk (CS) was performed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and the product distribution was measured as a function of temperature, time, and catalyst. The types and yields of product compounds were influenced dramatically by temperature, while the duration of the reaction had little effect on the type of compound. Three primary components in the biomass interacted during pyrolysis. The maximum proportions of aldehydes (27.26%), furans (5.93%), and olefins (6.46%), and the minimum proportions of alcohols (0%) and carbohydrates (0.74%) were obtained over MCM-41. HZSM-5 improved the selectivity of aromatic hydrocarbons while inhibiting acid formation. The proportion of N-compounds was maximal (23.39%) over ZrO₂. ZnCl₂ tended to generate the least amounts of ketones (2.02%), phenols (9.08%), and esters (2.16%), but the greatest amount of carbohydrates (37.31%). K₂SO₄ promoted the formation of acids, ketones, alcohols, and phenols, while reducing the production of N-compounds and aldehydes.