Solar pyrolysis of waste biomass: Part 1 reactor design

Abstract

In light of the latest regulations in the energy sector, renewable energy sources are quickly becoming more important. Among renewable energy sources, the one that has the greatest potential for use in Poland is natural and waste biomass. Application of solar energy to biomass thermal conversion methods e.g., pyrolysis, affords the opportunity for additional solar energy storage as well as amplification of the pro-ecological effect of the entire conversion process. Precise control of waste biomass pyrolysis via an investigation into the process thermodynamics, kinetics, and heat transfer phenomena allows to direct the reaction for production of desirable products, ranting reduction in of disposal cost of biomass, even sewage sludge. The goal of this study was to develop new design of laboratory-scale solar pyrolytic reactors to investigate the solar pyrolysis of waste biomass. Within presented paper, pyrolysis fundamentals, including process thermodynamics and kinetic principles, were reviewed. In addition, recently-developed, and artificial-powered solar pyrolytic reactors were discussed with a brief comparison of popular light sources for solar pyrolysis studies. After numerous consultations with artificial light sources producers and researchers, own design of a solar pyrolytic reactor is presented, along with a project development, preliminary experiment results and basic methodology for future studies.