Production and Characterization of Bio-Chars from Biomass via Pyrolysis

Abstract

This article deals with slow pyrolysis of oak wood and agricultural residues such as hazelnut shell and wheat straw at high temperature (950–1250 K) in a cylindrical reactor. The aim of this work is to study the effect of the treatment conditions such as temperature, particle size, and lignin and inorganic matter contents on bio-char yield and reactivity. When the pyrolysis temperature increased, the bio-char yield decreased. A high temperature and smaller particles increase the heating rate resulting in a decreased bio-char yield. The higher lignin content in hazelnut shell results in a higher bio-char yield in comparison with oak wood and wheat straw. Bio-chars from hazelnut shell and wheat straw are more reactive in gasification than bio-chars from oak wood because of the higher ash content. The bio-char obtained are carbon rich, with high heating value and relatively pollution-free potential solid biofuel.