Valorisation of biomass pellets to renewable fuel and chemicals using pyrolysis: characterisation of pyrolysis products and its application

The pyrolysis of biomass (agro and garden waste) pellets in the temperature range of 200-600 degrees C is studied in the present work. The pyrolysis of biomass pellets in a batch reactor generates mainly CO2 and CO gases at 300 degrees C and H-2 gas along with C-1-C-3 hydrocarbons at 600 degrees C. The yield of non-condensable gases, liquid products and biochar was 30, 38 wt.% (30 wt.% bio-oil, 8 wt.% water), and 32 wt.%, respectively. The MS analysis of the bio-oil depicted the presence of light oxygenates, furans, anhydrosugars, and phenolic compounds. The biochar showed porous and macrostructure with various surface functional groups. A kinetic study of thermal decomposition of biomass pellets was performed along with a reaction mechanism of the product formation during the pyrolysis. Net energy return calculations depicted that the pyrolysis system can be self-sustained. The present study demonstrates the possible conversion of biomass pellets into useful products such as acids, aldehydes, phenolic compounds and carbonaceous char. [GRAPHICS] .