Co-pyrolysis of cellulose and lignin: Effects of pyrolysis temperature, residence time, and lignin percentage on the properties of biochar using response surface methodology

Abstract

Cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin constitute the basic components of biomass. Knowledge of the interactions between cellulose and lignin during pyrolysis is crucial for unraveling the pyrolysis characteristics of biomass. In this study, for the co-pyrolysis of cellulose and lignin to produce biochar, three influencing factors were selected: pyrolysis temperature (400–800 °C), residence time (5–30 min), and lignin percentage (0–100 %). Pyrolysis experiments were conducted in a vertical tube furnace and the impact of these three factors on the characteristics of biochar was comprehensively explored employing response surface methodology. The results revealed obvious differences between actual values and theoretical values. Specifically, the results showed that the interaction between cellulose and lignin increased the biochar yield, oxygen content, volatile content, and ash content by 6.14 %, 22.85 %, 30.95 %, and 46.75 %, respectively. In contrast, the carbon content, fixed carbon content, and HHV of biochar were relatively reduced by 9.38 %, 11.80 %, and 3.3 %, respectively. Furthermore, Raman spectra of biochar showed that the actual value of graphitization degree of biochar was higher than the theoretical value. This was further corroborated by XPS analysis, wherein owing to the interactions between cellulose and lignin, the actual C-C bond content decreased in contrast to the theoretical value. However, the contents of C-O, CO, COOH functional groups, and aromatic rings increased. Finally, the summary of the co-pyrolysis rules of cellulose and lignin provided a reference for optimal pyrolysis conditions and understanding the mechanism of co-pyrolysis.