Intermediate pyrolysis of biomass energy pellets for producing sustainable liquid, gaseous and solid fuels

Y Yang,J.G Brammer,A.S.N Mahmood,A Hornung

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2014.07.044

Y Yang, J.G Brammer + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.07.044

Copy DOI

Abstract

This work describes the use of intermediate pyrolysis system to produce liquid, gaseous and solid fuels from pelletised wood and barley straw feedstock. Experiments were conducted in a pilot-scale system and all products were collected and analysed. The liquid products were separated into an aqueous phase and an organic phase (pyrolysis oil) under gravity. The oil yields were 34.1wt.% and 12.0wt.% for wood and barley straw, respectively. Analysis found that both oils were rich in heterocyclic and phenolic compounds and have heating values over 24MJ/kg. The yields of char for both feedstocks were found to be about 30wt.%, with heating values similar to that of typical sub-bituminous class coal. Gas yields were calculated to be approximately 20wt.%. Studies showed that both gases had heating values similar to that of downdraft gasification producer gas. Analysis on product energy yields indicated the process efficiency was about 75%.

Highlights

Biomass based fuels dominated the world energy market until middle of the 19th century, when coal and other fossil fuels become increasingly popular
Product yields Analysis showed that the pyrolysis liquid was the most abundant product accounting for 54.3 wt.% and 49.0 wt.% of the total for wood and barley straw, respectively
It is found that 34.1 wt.% of the wood pyrolysis liquid forms pyrolysis oil, but only 12.0 wt.% for barley straw

Summary

Introduction

Biomass based fuels dominated the world energy market until middle of the 19th century, when coal and other fossil fuels become increasingly popular. Since the 20th century, just over 100 years, mass production and utilisation of fossil energy have caused a series of worldwide energy supply and global environmental and climate problems. The use of sustainable energy sources has been attracting research attention over the last several decades. Compared to the use of other sustainable fuel resources, biomass has the advantage of wide availability and it can be developed everywhere in the world as a local fuel resource. Alternative thermal conversion of biomass material i.e. pyrolysis and gasification, instead of direct combustion has attracted considerable research attention. Pyrolysis is of particular interest, as it can convert solid biomass into liquid fuel oil with the benefits of higher energy content and economical storage and transport

Methods

Results

Conclusion