Petroleum-containing residue processing via co-catalyzed pyrolysis

[Display omitted] •Model oil slime pyrolysis was conducted in the presence of cobalt chloride.•The analysis of liquid products was performed by GC–MS and FTIR.•The formation of carbon-containing solid residue was studied. This paper is devoted to the study of oil-containing residue (oil-slime) pyrolysis process in the presence of cobalt chloride as a catalyst. A mixture consisting of crude oil (20wt.%) and silica (80wt.%) was used as a model substrate. The pyrolysis process carried out at a temperature 500°C in nitrogen atmosphere in the presence of 5wt.% of CoCl2 allowed obtaining an optimal gaseous, liquid and solid product distribution. Moreover the comparison of liquid and solid pyrolysis products composition with those obtained in non-catalytic process was done. It was found that the use of CoCl2 increases the calorific value of both gaseous and liquid products due to the increase in hydrocarbon formation. Pyrolysis solid residue was found to consist of silica particles coated with pyrolysis graphite and can be used as a valuable sorbent.