RESIDUAL BIOMASS CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF ITS INFLUENCE ON PYROLYSIS PROCESSES

Abstract

Biomass is extensively accepted as one of the main potential sources for sustainable and renewable generation of fuels, chemicals and other carbon-based materials. Many advantages are reported using biomass as an energy source, such as being a non-polluting alternative and its carbon neutrality. Numerous processes can be used to convert biomass, and namely the pyrolysis process is a renewable, economical, and efficient way to produce chemicals and/or energy. Therefore, pyrolysis is an available technology for biomass conversion into energy. It consists of a thermal decomposition process with the absence of oxygen, converting biomass into 3 fractions: biochar (solid fraction), bio-oil (liquid fraction) and gases. Hence, pyrolysis is a recognized industrial process for biomass energy and chemical conversion. The bio-oil and biochar can be used as a fuel and as fertilizer respectively, and the gases can be recycled back into the process. Biomass samples were characterized by proximate analysis, determining fixed carbon, moisture, volatiles and ashes composition, and by ultimate analyses, determining the content of C, H, N, S and O. The content of hemicellulose, lignin and cellulose was also determined. The methodologies are described elsewhere and all characterizations were performed on a dry basis. Pyrolysis tests were performed in a fixed-bed vertical pyrolysis oven, with a maximum temperature of 500 to 700 ?C, variable heating rate up to 50 ?C/min, retention time of 0.5 h, and N2 flow of 20 mL/min. The bio-oil and biochar were qualitatively characterized using FTIR and the products distribution was analyzed in relation to the biomass samples previous characterization.