Reaction mechanisms and product patterns of Pteris vittata pyrolysis for cleaner energy

The pyrolysis behaviors, kinetics, evolved products, and optimization of aboveground (PA) and below ground (PB) biomass of Pteris vittata were quantified. The pyrolysis performance in response to the elevated heating rate was improved by 21.21 and 16.79 times for PA and PB, respectively. CH4 and CO emissions were produced more from the pyrolysis of PB than PA. The increased pyrolysis temperatures of PA and PB led to the three consecutive releases of C=O (alcohol, ketone, acid, and furan), C-O (alcohol, phenol, and ether), and CO2, CH4, H2O, and CO. The formations of NH3 and HCN were more sensitive to the temperature rise with PB than PA. PA produced alcohol/ketone and acids by 1.81 and 1.32 times what PB produced. PB produced furan and carbohydrate/alkene by 1.56 and 2.52 times what PA produced. PA appeared as a more suitable feedstock than PB and showed an optimal pyrolysis behavior at 545 degrees C and 45 degrees C/min. Our findings can provide the basis for characterizing the process and environmental benignity of the hyperaccumulator pyrolysis. (c) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study quantified the pyrolysis behaviors, kinetics, evolved products, and optimization of aboveground (PA) and below ground (PB) biomass of Pteris vittata. It was found that PA was more suitable as feedstock compared to PB, with different emissions and product types under varying pyrolysis conditions. The findings can provide a basis for characterizing the process and environmental benignity of the hyperaccumulator pyrolysis.