Fixed-bed pyrolysis of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Fixed-bed slow and fast pyrolysis experiments have been conducted on a sample of rapeseed. The experiments were performed in two different pyrolysis reactors, namely a fixed-bed Heinze and a well-swept fixed-bed tubular retort to investigate the effects of heating rate, pyrolysis temperature, particle size, sweep gas velocity on the pyrolysis product yields and chemical compositions. The maximum oil yield of 51.7% was obtained in the Heinze reactor 550degreesC, with a particle size range of +0.6-1.8 mm (sweep gas too cm(3) min(-1) N-2) at a heating rate of 30degreesC min(-1). In the well-swept fixed-bed reactor, the maximum oil yield of 68% was obtained at a heating rate of 300degreesC min(-1). Chromatographic and spectroscopic studies on the pyrolytic oil showed that the oil obtained from rapeseed could be use as a renewable fuels and chemical feedstock. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.