Biomass co-pyrolysis: Effects of blending three different biomasses on oil yield and quality

Abstract

In the present study, pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse, poppy capsule pulp, and rice husk were conducted in a fixed bed reactor at 550⁰C in nitrogen atmosphere. The moisture (5%–8%), ash (4%–17%), volatile matter (60%–76%), and fixed carbon analyses (11%–24%) of the utilized biomass were conducted. The decomposition behavior of biomasses due to the heat effect was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis . In the pyrolysis of biomasses separately, the highest bio-oil yield was obtained with sugarcane bagasse (27.4%). In the co-pyrolysis of the binary blends of biomass, the highest bio-oil yield was obtained with the rice husk and sugarcane bagasse blends. While the mean bio-oil yield obtained with the separate pyrolysis of these two biomasses was 23.9%, it was observed that the bio-oil yield obtained with the co-pyrolysis of biomass blends was 28.4%. This suggested a synergistic interaction between the two biomasses during pyrolysis. It was observed that as the total ash content in the biomasses used in the pyrolysis increased, the bio-oil yield decreased, and the solid product content increased. Characterization studies of bio-oils were conducted by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. Results of these studies revealed that, all bio-oils were mainly composed of aliphatic and oxygenated compounds. The calorific values of bio-oils were determined by calorimeter bomb. Based on the GC-MS, the bio-oils with high fatty acid and its ester content also had high calorific values. The highest calorific value was 29.68 MJ kg-1, and this was obtained by pyrolysis of poppy capsule and sugarcane bagasse blend.

Batch Pyrolysis and Co-Pyrolysis of Beet Pulp and Wheat Straw

“…The highest bio-oil content was found with the highest final process temperature of 500 °C, using pure beet pulp pellets as the feedstock material. Synergy as a result of co-pyrolysis was not only related to the amount of gas but it could also, with 50% beet pulp content and 400 °C temperature, have effected lowering the bio-oil content, similar to another study [ 35 ]. No clear symptom of synergy was observed concerning the ash content of the products as described by the authors of the paper [ 32 ].…”

“…FTIR spectra (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) showed that the process of beet pulp pyrolysis produces not only large amounts of gases, such as CO 2 , CO, H 2 O and CH 4 , and H 2 , but also many volatile aldehydes, ketones, organic acids, and alkanes, and co-pyrolysis involving the pyrolysis of several feedstock materials mixed compared to the pyrolysis of individual feedstock may also produce a synergistic effect concerning some products resulting from the process. This could be an increased yield of bio-oil [ 35 ] or an increased proportion of the ash that occurred during the co-pyrolysis of beet pulp with lignite [ 32 ]. An increase in the mass proportion of defecation lime in samples with beet pulp resulted in an increase in the mass of biochar from 29.4 to 51.6%.…”

Thermochemical Conversion Behavior of Turkish Lignite/Poppy Capsule Pulp Blends in N2 and CO2 Atmospheres

“…Hopa et al studied the effects of temperature on bio-oil yield and its calorific value obtained from the pyrolysis of PCP in a fixed-bed reactor [6]. In another study, they investigated the pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis behavior and bio-oil yields of sugarcane bagasse, PCP, and rice husk mixtures in a fixed bed reactor [7]. Thermochemical conversion processes developed for coal and biomass mixtures can reduce fossil fuel consumption and contribute to the spread of commercial-scale applications of biomass.…”

Thermogravimetric studies on co-pyrolysis of raw/torrefied biomass and coal blends

“…In the present context, fossil fuels are the major source of energy, but are being depleted at an ever-increasing rate and are expected to be exhausted shortly. Furthermore, utilization of fossil fuels, which emit noxious gases that pollute the environment and result in the accumulation of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere, is the major cause of the greenhouse gas effect (Hopa et al, 2019). In contrast, biomass is an important resource for renewable energy, and its use is becoming increasingly significant for climate protection when compared with other renewable energy sources.…”