Microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) is a cutting-edge
technology
that converts biomass into fuels, chemicals, and materials. In this
study, an Arduino was used to control and automate a MAP system built
from a microwave oven with a cordierite chamber filled with silicon
carbide. Sugar cane bagasse was pyrolyzed at 250, 350, 450, and 550
°C to validate the MAP system and obtain pyrolytic products with
different yields and chemical compositions. Lower temperatures led
to high biochar yields, but the highest surface area of 25.14 m2 g–1 was only achieved at 550 °C. By
contrast, higher temperatures favored the recovery of pyrolysis liquids.
BET and scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed a porous biochar
structure, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis
showed that the availability of functional groups on the biochar surface
decreased with an increase in pyrolysis temperature. GC–MS
analysis quantified valuable low molecular mass compounds in pyrolysis
liquids, including aldehydes, ketones, phenols, and alcohols. With
its unprecedented hybrid heating device, the MAP system promoted suitable
heating rates (31.9 °C min–1) and precise temperature
control (only 19 °C of set point variation), generating pyrolysis
products devoid of microwave susceptor interferences. Therefore, MAP
provided a rapid, safe, and efficient means of depolymerizing biomass,
thus holding promise for biorefinery applications.