Biomass microspheres – A new method for characterization of biomass pyrolysis and shrinkage

Zolghadr, Ali; Kelley, Matthew D.; Sokhansefat, Ghazal; Moradian, Masoud; Sullins, Brianna; Ley, Tyler; Biernacki, Joseph J.

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2018.09.137

Cited by 19 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Microscopic images and details about the manufacturing process for microsphere particles are described elsewhere. 44 2.3. Fast Pyrolysis Microsphere Microreactor (MSMR).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Using a Novel Microparticle Microreactor Approach: Effect of Particles Size, Biomass Type, and Temperature

2018

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Biomass fast pyrolysis is emerging as a front-running approach for the generation of renewable chemical and fuel resources. The pyrolysis temperature, solid-and gas-phase residence times, and biomass particle size and type have a substantial impact on char, oil, and gas yields. A laboratory-scale fast pyrolysis technique was demonstrated using manufactured biomass microspheres. A unique single-particle (∼10 μg) microreactor technology coupled to a millisecond response flame ionization detector was used to investigate the effects of relevant particle and process parameters and to capture the dynamics of real-time microscale single-particle pyrolysis for the first time. The manufactured biomass microspheres were produced by spray-drying finely milled microcrystalline cellulose, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and tall fescue straw (Festuca arundinacea) flour.

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“…Microscopic images and details about the manufacturing process for microsphere particles are described elsewhere. 44 2.3. Fast Pyrolysis Microsphere Microreactor (MSMR).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The spray column was carefully vented between spray bursts to prevent the ethanol content of the column purge gas from becoming flammable. Microscopic images and details about the manufacturing process for microsphere particles are described elsewhere …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Using a Novel Microparticle Microreactor Approach: Effect of Particles Size, Biomass Type, and Temperature

2018

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“…Boigné et al (2022) analyzed volume shrinkage within biomass during pyrolysis and oxidation using real-time, in situ XCT, but the effects of pyrolysis on transport properties were not quantitatively investigated. Zolghadr et al (2019) used XCT imaging to characterize the microstructure of crystalline cellulose, switchgrass, and tall fescue microspheres, calculating void fraction and tortuosity but not directional permeabilities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of Transport Properties of Woody Biomass Feedstock Particles Before and After Pyrolysis by Numerical Analysis of X-Ray Tomographic Reconstructions

et al. 2022

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Lignocellulosic biomass has a complex, species-specific microstructure that governs heat and mass transport during conversion processes. A quantitative understanding of the evolution of pore size and structure is critical to optimize conversion processes for biofuel and bio-based chemical production. Further, improving our understanding of the microstructure of biochar coproduct will accelerate development of its myriad applications. This work quantitatively compares the microstructural features and the anisotropic permeabilities of two woody feedstocks, red oak and Douglas fir, using X-ray computed tomography (XCT) before and after the feedstocks are subjected to pyrolysis. Quantitative analysis of the three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions allows for direct calculations of void fractions, pore size distributions and tortuosity factors. Next, 3D images are imported into an immersed boundary based finite volume solver to simulate gas flow through the porous structure and to directly calculate the principal permeabilities along longitudinal, radial, and tangential directions. The permeabilities of native biomass are seen to differ by three to four orders of magnitude in the different principal directions, but we find that this anisotropy is substantially reduced in the biochar formed during pyrolysis. The quantitative transport properties reported here enhance the ability of pyrolysis simulations to account for feedstock-specific effects and thereby provide a useful touchstone for the biorefining community.

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“…The present work, which uses manufactured biomass microspheres and a microreactor, is not exempt from transport effects; however, it presents a number of new opportunities: The total mass of the sample is very small, ∼35 μg, and is generally 1000 times smaller than masses used in pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (PyGC/MC) reactors. The sample geometry is well controlled and is always spherical, so idealized spherical models are not an approximation. The particle size and density are measurable The instantaneous particle velocity (particle trajectory) into the reactor and rate of real-time hydrocarbon production can be determined by using lasers that detect the particle motion and fast gas analysis for hydrocarbon content. The real-time pyrolysis gas dynamics can be captured for a single microsphere particle for the entire continuous event without quenching (as in the PHASR) or confounding influence of particle size and/or residence time distributions (as in free-fall reactors). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(3) The particle size and density are measurable. 34 (4) The instantaneous particle velocity (particle trajectory) into the reactor and rate of real-time hydrocarbon production can be determined by using lasers that detect the particle motion and fast gas analysis for hydrocarbon content.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Using a Novel Microsphere Microreactor Approach: Model-Based Interpretations

2019

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A novel microsphere microreactor approach was used to capture the real-time dynamics of fast pyrolysis of single biomass microspheres using fast flame ionization detection at a data capture rate of 10,000 Hz. Time-domain pyrolysis data were transformed temperature domain using a model-based approach. The apparent kinetics of pyrolysis was systematically investigated as a function of size and type of biomass particle and reactor temperature. A mechanism for fast pyrolysis of crystalline cellulose that suggests a parallel series dependent pathway is proposed and supported.

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Biomass microspheres – A new method for characterization of biomass pyrolysis and shrinkage

Cited by 19 publications

References 44 publications

Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Using a Novel Microparticle Microreactor Approach: Effect of Particles Size, Biomass Type, and Temperature

Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Using a Novel Microparticle Microreactor Approach: Effect of Particles Size, Biomass Type, and Temperature

Measurement of Transport Properties of Woody Biomass Feedstock Particles Before and After Pyrolysis by Numerical Analysis of X-Ray Tomographic Reconstructions

Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Using a Novel Microsphere Microreactor Approach: Model-Based Interpretations

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