Speciation and Semiquantification of Nitrogen-Containing Species in Complex Mixtures: Application to Plastic Pyrolysis Oil

Abstract

Plastic pyrolysis oil is of particular interest for waste management in the current context of a circular economy. Due to their uncontrolled origin, these oils may contain significant amount of unwanted compounds such as nitrogen-containing species. These compounds are known to be catalyst poisons during refining processes. Therefore, the removal of these species is crucial, and their characterization from structural and quantification points of view is essential for this purpose. This study presents a method to specify and quantify nitrogen-containing classes in a plastic pyrolysis oil by direct infusion mass spectrometry. Two steps were used, namely structural characterization to select suitable standards and semiquantification. The structural speciation of nitrogen-containing compounds was first performed by electrospray ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry, followed by tandem mass spectrometry using high-resolution mass isolation and infrared multiphoton dissociation fragmentation. A semiquantification is then performed by the standard addition method, which is very appropriate for such complex matrices. Aromatic cores such as quinoline and quinoxaline were evidenced for both N 1 and N 2 classes, allowing 2-methylquinoxaline and 2-butylquinoline to be proposed as standards for the semiquantification of N 2 - and N 1 -containing compounds, respectively. The amount of nitrogen detected from the sum of the individual species was consistent with the bulk analysis. The reported methodology can be applied to numerous other families of compounds in various other complex matrices.

GC-FTICR mass spectrometry with dopant assisted atmospheric pressure photoionization: application to the characterization of plastic pyrolysis oil

“…Their characterization is already reported in the literature. 1,5 Concerning the conjugated diolefins, they are known to be largely responsible for oligomerization reactions, deposit, and gumming formation in refinery processes. 6,7 A detailed chemical description of plastic waste-based pyrolysis oil is, therefore, essential to improve the conversion and valorization processes.…”

Analysis of Fuel Alternative Products Obtained by the Pyrolysis of Diverse Types of Plastic Materials Isolated from a Dumpsite Origin in Pakistan

“…The best method for turning plastic waste into fuel is thermal deterioration, such as pyrolysis [ 21 , 22 ]. The technology of conversion of various plastics into fuel (often termed waste plastic fuel or WPF) is now considered an approach to achieving a circular economy [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. The technology of thermal conversion of plastics has been advocated worldwide [ 21 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], and research is advancing from the use of clean plastic materials to mixed plastic starting materials [ 26 , 27 , 33 , 34 ], even plastic recovery from landfills [ 22 ].…”

“…The technology of conversion of various plastics into fuel (often termed waste plastic fuel or WPF) is now considered an approach to achieving a circular economy [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. The technology of thermal conversion of plastics has been advocated worldwide [ 21 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], and research is advancing from the use of clean plastic materials to mixed plastic starting materials [ 26 , 27 , 33 , 34 ], even plastic recovery from landfills [ 22 ]. Nonetheless, the use of blended plastics presents tremendous technological difficulties, e.g., adverse nitrogen substances formed during pyrolysis [ 24 ].…”

Potential of GC-Combustion-MS as a Powerful and Versatile Nitrogen-Selective Detector in Gas Chromatography

“…Unfortunately, such heteroatoms are split into a myriad of compounds due to the complex character of the chemical processes typically involved in their production (e.g., pyrolysis) and therefore require ultrasensitive and selective approaches for their characterization. In particular, nitrogen-containing compounds have been extensively reported in crude oil-based fuels , and other complex matrices such as bio-oil and plastic-based pyrolysis oil. , During refining, N-compounds can cause catalyst poisoning, fouling, equipment corrosion, and gum formation . For example, N-containing species are harmful for heterogeneous hydrotreatment catalysts during bio-oil pyrolysis, and this adverse effect is species-dependent.…”

“…For example, N-containing species are harmful for heterogeneous hydrotreatment catalysts during bio-oil pyrolysis, and this adverse effect is species-dependent. This is why it is critical to find out what individual N-species are present, and in which quantity, in order to select and optimize the industrial process for their removal to upgrade the product . Moreover, their presence in fuels contributes to the environmental release of air pollutants NOx after their combustion .…”