Optimizing the Conditions for the Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Cotton Stalk for Bio-Oil Production Using Response Surface Methodology

In this study, the Box-Behnken design response surface methodology was applied to investigate the optimum conditions for pyrolysis of cotton stalk using microwave-assisted pyrolysis system. Three operating variables, namely microwave power (W), reaction temperature (degrees C) and reaction time (min) with a total of 17 individual experiments were conducted to optimize the combination effects of the variables. The optimal liquefaction conditions were estimated as: the microwave power of 1800 W, the reaction time of 24 min, the reaction temperature of 550 degrees C with the highest bio-oil yield of 32.47 %. In addition the obtained bio-oils were confirmed mainly contained phenols and benzene carboxylic acid through GC-MS analysis.