Evaluation of the Production Potential of Bio-Oil from Quebracho Colorado Sawdust from Tannin Extraction Industry

Abstract

A conventional laboratory-scale pyrolysis process is introduced to produce fuels from spent quebracho colorado sawdust (Schinopsis balansae and Schinopsis lorentzii). This raw material is a forest industry residue from the Gran Chaco region. Conditioning and chemical characterization to predict the products of the raw material chosen were first performed. The lignocellulosic residue has approximately 51.03% total structural carbohydrates, 30.47% of lignin and lower percentages of other compounds. The pyrolysis fixed bed reactor features 49.7% liquid product yield, 23.8% solids and 26.5% gases. The pyrolysis liquid product obtained is a mix of aqueous phase (bio-oil) and oil phase (tar). Higher Heating Value (HHV) of this mixture resulted from 31.5 MJ/kg with a density of 1.05 Kg/dm 3 . Both phases, bio-oil and tar, of the pyrolysis liquid product from spent quebracho colorado sawdust showed low concentrations of carboxylic acids. The upper phase (bio-oil) presented 29% of phenolic compounds, 34% of carbonyl compounds and 27% of methoxylated aromatic compounds. The lower phase (tar) presented 49%, 18% and 56% of phenolic compounds, carbonyl compounds and methoxylated aromatic compounds, respectively.