Abstract
Woody biomass waste (Pinus radiata) has been pyrolyzed in a laboratory-scale continuous pyrolysis plant, formed by two reactors connected in series: one continuous auger reactor, where the pyrolysis process is performed, and a tubular reactor for vapors upgrading, where the thermal treatment of the pyrolysis vapors occurs to promote further cracking. The pyrolysis reactor has four different heating zones that allows programming different temperature profiles. An extensive and detailed thermal study has been performed using temperatures covering the range from 300 °C to 900 °C in regimes of scaling temperature profiles and isothermal profiles. Both the peak temperature and the heating rate affect the pyrolysis fraction yields, as well as products composition. Higher temperatures result in higher gas yield and lower solid and liquid yields. Increasing the temperature also increases the fixed and elemental carbon contents of the charcoal obtained, and decreases its volatile matter and the hydrogen and oxygen contents. Concerning gas fraction, the share of CO and hydrogen rises with the temperature. The increase of temperature gives rise to heavier liquids with more polycyclic compounds and less monocyclic compounds. The changes in the composition of the charcoal and gas products are more prominent between 300 °C and 700 °C. Compared to nonisothermal experiments, isothermal experiments enhance the production of gases, to the detriment of solid and liquids, but do not affect product composition.
Highlights
Biomass can be considered a natural form of solar energy storage and is the oldest source of renewable energy known to humankind
Woody biomass can be transformed to three different products: (1) charcoal, suitable as fuel, reducer for metallurgical applications, catalyst, or soil amender and adsorbent; (2) condensable liquids that can have application as fuel or source of chemicals; and (3) a mixture of gaseous products composed of H2, CO, CO2, and CH4, which can be used as gas fuel, source of H2, synthesis gas, or metallurgical reducer.[6,7]
The objective of this paper is to study the influence of the peak temperature and temperature profile on the yields and characteristics of the products obtained through slow pyrolysis of a forestry wood waste such as Pinus radiata in a screw reactor
Summary
Biomass can be considered a natural form of solar energy storage and is the oldest source of renewable energy known to humankind. In opposition to fossil fuels, the use of biomass presents a net zero balance of carbon dioxide emissions, called “closed carbon loop”, since the CO2 emitted in the combustion is “counterbalanced” by the CO2 fixed by the plants themselves during their growth. This factor arouses great interest in the implementation of biomass or its chemical derivatives in industrial and energy processes, because of the economic savings, which means not having to pay taxes for the emission of CO2.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
