Evaluating the effect of torrefaction on the pyrolysis of biomass and the biochar catalytic performance on dry reforming of methane

The torrefaction and pyrolysis experiments on hawthorn seed (HS) were carried out, and biochar obtained was utilized as a catalyst in dry reforming of methane (DRM) under microwave field. The product was characterized and analyzed to explore the influence of torrefaction on HS, subsequent pyrolysis process and catalytic performance of biochar. Results reveal that increasing torrefaction temperature enhanced deoxygenation and dehydration of solid product, thus increase gas and liquid product. And the yield of tar increases significantly with pyrolysis temperature. The carbon content of biochar with potential as carbon-based catalyst can exceed 80%. As torrefaction was implement before pyrolysis, not only was smokey flavor of tar improved, but also carbonization of biochar was further enhanced. As torrefaction temperature and pyrolysis temperature was respectively set at 300 degrees C and 600 degrees C, the biochar acquired could make the conversion rate of CH4 and CO2 reach 75% and 85% in the DRM reaction, respectively. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study conducted torrefaction and pyrolysis experiments on hawthorn seed, and utilized the obtained biochar as a catalyst for dry reforming of methane under a microwave field. The influence of torrefaction on hawthorn seed, subsequent pyrolysis process, and catalytic performance of biochar was explored by characterizing and analyzing the product. The results showed that increasing torrefaction temperature enhanced the deoxygenation and dehydration of the solid product, leading to an increase in gas and liquid product. The yield of tar significantly increased with the pyrolysis temperature. The carbon content of the biochar, which had the potential to be used as a carbon-based catalyst, could exceed 80%. The smokey flavor of tar was improved through torrefaction, and the carbonization of biochar was further enhanced. When the torrefaction temperature and pyrolysis temperature were set at 300 degrees C and 600 degrees C respectively, the biochar obtained achieved a conversion rate of 75% for CH4 and 85% for CO2 in the DRM reaction.