Pyrolysis of Sugar Beet Bagasse for Production of Liquid Fuels

Abstract

Sugar beet bagasse was pyrolyzed in a fixed-bed reactor. The temperature of pyrolysis, heating rate, and sweep gas flow rate were varied in the ranges of 350–550°C, 10–30°C min−1, and 100–200 cm3 min−1, respectively. The maximum oil yield of 26.71% was obtained at a pyrolysis temperature of 500°C, heating rate of 30°C min−1, and sweeping gas flow rate of 100 cm3 min−1. The elemental analyses and calorific values of the bio-oil were determined, and then the chemical compositions of the bio-oil were investigated using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, such as column chromatography and Fourier transform infrared.