Thermodynamic analysis of light hydrocarbon production from bio-oil model compound through co-cracking

Abstract

Thermodynamic equilibrium analysis of bio-oil model compound to light olefins was carried out by employing the total Gibbs free energy minimization method. Thermodynamic equilibrium compositions for acetic acid co-cracking were decided based on four operating parameter range, which were temperature of 300–1200 °C; AMR (acetic acid/methanol ratio) and AER (acetic acid/ethanol ratio) of 1:12, 1:6, 1:3, 1:1, 2:1 and pressure of 1 bar. Detailed analysis of stipulated feasible reactions showed hydrogen emerged as the primary product while carbon monoxide and ethylene as other important products. Equilibrium analysis hinted that ethylene formation does not occur spontaneously and ethylene is minutely produced compared to hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Optimum condition for ethylene production are AMR 2:1, T = 700 °C, P = 1 bar and AER 1:12, T = 1100 °C, P = 1 bar. From thermodynamic equilibrium analysis, ethylene formation was found to be not thermodynamically feasible at equilibrium but study involving experimental work involving catalyst can enhance the formation of light hydrocarbons.