Comparative Studies of Opuntia Ficus Indica Biomass Pyrolysis in the Presence and Absence of Catalyst

This investigation shows that through pyrolysis, Opuntia Ficus Indica can be a source of furfural, phenol, acetone and acetic acid, important feedstocks in the production of other chemical products. The hydrolysis and pyrolysis reactions were carried out in the presence and absence of a heterogeneous acid catalyst (ZrO₂/SiO₂).