Valorization of rubberwood sawdust and sewage sludge by pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis using agitated bed reactor for producing biofuel or value-added products

This study investigated experimentally pyrolysis of rubberwood sawdust (RWS), sewage sludge (SS), and their blends (25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 by weight) in an agitated bed pyrolysis reactor. The yields and characteristics of liquid product and biochar were determined for pyrolysis at 450, 500, and 550 degrees C and were affected both by temperature and feedstock type. The liquid and biochar yields were in the ranges 27.30-52.42 and 21.43-49.66 (wt%). Pyrolysis of RWS at 550 degrees C provided the highest liquid yield, while SS gave a high biochar yield. Co-pyrolysis of SS with RWS improved yield and quality of liquid and biochar products. The liquid product had 57.54-70.70 wt% of water and a low hydrocarbon content. The higher heating value (HHV) of water-free liquid product was 14.73-22.45 MJ/kg. The major compounds of liquid product included acetic acid, 2-propanone, 1-hydroxy, and phenols according to GC-MS. The biochar from RWS had a high carbon content (83.37 wt%) and a high HHV (33.57 MJ/kg), while SS biochar was mainly ash (67.62 wt%) with low carbon content. The SS biochar also had high contents of Si, Ca, Fe, K, and Mg as determined by XRF. Co-pyrolysis of SS with RWS improved the biochar by increasing its carbon content and reducing ash and inorganic elements. The surface of RWS biochar was more porous, while SS biochar had the larger specific surface according to SEM and BET. Based on these results, co-pyrolysis of 75:25 feedstock mix is recommended for further studies on applications of liquid product and biochar.

Automated summary

This experimental study investigated the pyrolysis of rubberwood sawdust, sewage sludge, and their blends, finding that co-pyrolysis can improve the yield and quality of liquid and biochar products.