Integration of pyrolysis – tar decomposition over porous low grade iron ore

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of low grade iron ore as catalyst on pyrolysis process of using palm empty fruit bunch. The process was conducted in fixed bed reactor at 450-600 oC. During experiment, the biomass placed within the first stack underwent pyrolysis process was pyrolyzed to produce char, tar and gases. Tar vapor and gases passed through the catalyst bed located within the second stack to conduct catalytic reaction. Furthermore, the vapor left the reactor and entered the cooling system. The catalyst after experiment was weighed to calculate total carbon deposited into catalyst pores. The results showed that the presence of low grade iron ore catalyst increased the gas yield with the yield reduction of liquid fraction. The gas yield was also increased with increasing temperature.