Pressmud as an Alternate Resource for Hydrocarbons and Chemicals by Thermal Pyrolysis

This report relates to the thermal pyrolysis of pressmud combined with in situ upgradation of the pyrolysis vapor for generation of hydrocarbons and chemicals, up to 873 K, in a batch reactor. The products of the process, comprised of gases (11 wt %), liquids (22 wt %), and solid residues (53 wt %), are well characterized by mass spectroscopy. The gases comprised of C1–C3 hydrocarbons include N2, CO2, CO, and H2, whereas the liquid products were C10–C27 hydrocarbons along with alcohols, acids, aldehydes, and phenolic compounds. The solid char was comprised of macro- and nanoparticles having porous structures and various functionalities. The pyrolysis vapor upgradation by iron is found to be effective in producing hydrocarbon products. A complete mechanism of the product formation during the pressmud pyrolysis is proposed. The investigation shows that pressmud can be a resource of hydrocarbons and valuable chemicals.