Fast Micro-Pyrolysis of Myristic Acid in the Presence of Fresh and Equilibrium FCC-Type Catalysts

The production of truly sustainable biofuels involves many challenges, from the choice of raw materials to the rational use of reagents and catalysts. In the present study, the catalytic fast micro-pyrolysis of a model fatty molecule myristic acid was performed over fresh and equilibrium Fluidized Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalysts, containing two different levels of rare earth (RE), and two reaction bed geometries. The fresh catalyst with high RE exhibited complete conversion and 92% selectivity to hydrocarbons, which can be used for gasoline, kerosene, or diesel-like biofuels. The product composition included 42.9% aromatics, 29.1% olefins, and 21% saturated molecules. In similar conditions, the fresh low RE catalyst reached a conversion of 68.8% with 52% selectivity. The same catalysts in the equilibrium state exhibited good production of hydrocarbons, in some cases almost comparable to the fresh catalysts, despite exhibiting a lower myristic acid conversion. By integrating insights into catalyst performance and reaction dynamics, this work innovates by incorporating two important ecological approaches, proposes the reuse of the most consumed catalyst in the world, generating 400,000 metric tons of solid residue per year worldwide, and points out the possibility of obtaining tailor-made products, which will be used in the composition of green fuels.