Investigation of Pyrolysis Characteristics and Product Evolution Behavior of Methyl Oleate under the Effect of Copper Slag

Biodiesel is a highly potential energy source with the characteristics of renewability and environmental friendliness. In this study, methyl oleate (MO, unsaturated fatty acid) was selected as a model compound for biodiesel. The thermal conversion behavior of MO and the reaction characteristics of copper slag (CS) catalytic pyrolysis of MO were investigated. The thermal conversion behavior of MO was explored by Py-GC/MS and TG-FTIR. The results showed that the pyrolysis products of MO mainly consisted of oxygenated compounds, alkenes, alkanes, and aromatics. Furthermore, the final product of the catalytic pyrolysis of MO by CS was analyzed. More gas products were produced under the effect of CS. The components of the gas products were determined by gas chromatography (GC). The results revealed that CS promoted the production of H2 and CO. The coke was analyzed and characterized by FTIR, Raman and SEM. The addition of CS enhanced the decomposition of oxygen-containing structures, leading to the change of particle size and chemical structure of coke. The research contributes to understanding the thermal conversion behavior of unsaturated fatty acids and the reaction characteristics under the effect of CS. This provides valuable information for the application of biodiesel to replace fossil energy in the copper smelting process.