Fast pyrolysis is
the first step of the bioliq concept, which is
developed at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) together
with Air Liquide (Lurgi Technologies) for synthetic fuel production
from lignocellulosic biomass via gasification. In the 2 MW bioliq
fast pyrolysis pilot plant, shredded wheat straw is mixed with a hot
heat carrier (sand) in a twin screw mixer reactor. At a temperature
of 500 °C and in the absence of oxygen, the biomass particles
are rapidly decomposed within seconds and pyrolysis gas, solids, and
organic and aqueous condensates are produced. Representative results
of the product yields and properties obtained from selected pyrolysis
test campaigns from 2013 to 2015 are presented. It is shown that the
mass ratio between the two liquid condensates can be adjusted by appropriate
process design and operating conditions. Product stability is discussed,
giving evidence that, by process internal recycling of the organic
condensate, a controlled thermal maturing can be performed. It could
be demonstrated in the pilot scale that stable pyrolysis products
can be produced from ash-rich biomass feedstocks, such as wheat straw.
The bioliq process
developed at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
(KIT) aims at the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into synthetic
biofuels and chemicals. The process follows a two-stage concept combining
decentralized pretreatment of biomass via fast pyrolysis and centralized
large-scale gasification and synthesis. The process was specifically
designed to convert ash-rich biomass residues, such as wheat straw,
requiring special design features at least in the upstream processes.
The 2 MW fast pyrolysis pilot plant at KIT was operated with wheat
straw from 2009 to 2018 and since then with miscanthus. A substantial
increase from less than 5 tons of wheat straw converted per test run
in 2012 to more than 50 tons in 2018 was achieved. In total, up to
2018, more than 260 tons of wheat straw were converted to pyrolysis
products within a total of 500 h of steady operation. Representative
results of the product yields and properties were presented for test
campaigns from 2015 to 2018 and compared to a process demonstration
unit of the same design but with a downscale factor of 50 (10 kg/h).
Mass yields from both plants are in good agreement and consistent
with literature data. Experience from longer-term operation and major
technical modifications made to improve the operational stability
of the plant are described.
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