Conversion of Rice Straw to Bio-Fuel by Pyrolysis in Molten KCl-LiCl

Abstract

The objective of this study was to provide background date on rice straw pyrolysis in molten KCl(40mol%)-LiCl(60mol%). The effects of pyrolysis temperatures and sweep gas flow rates on the pyrolysis products yields and their chemical compositions were studied. The temperatures of pyrolysis and sweep gas flow rates were varied in the range of 380°C -540°C and 60L/h-260L/h, respectively. The compositions of gaseous products were analyzed by gas chromatography, and that of bio-oil obtained was investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopic(GC-MS) technique. The yield of gaseous products increases with the increasing temperature, the char yield has demonstrated a downtrend, and the maximum yield of bio-oil is up to 15.43 wt.% at 460°C. The yield of char decreases with the sweep flow rate, the gaseous has a minimum yield at 100L/h, and the maximum yield of bio-oil is 15.43wt.% at 100L/h .The main gaseous products are CO, CO2 , H2 and CH4. Ketones and phenols are the main compounds in the bio-oil, the presence of molten inhabites their formation, and promotes the production of furfural. The bio-oil attained from pyrolysis is a potential source of renewable fuel and chemical feedstock.