Microwave-induced electrical discharge of metal strips for the degradation of biomass tar

Considering the global energy and environment crisis, biomass energy is a major research focus. Gasification is a commonly used biomass energy conversion technology, but it inevitably yields tar as a by-product, accompanied by many hazards. This study investigates the use of microwave metal discharge as an energy-efficient alternative to current technologies for processing and treating tar from biomass gasification. The related special effects and factors affecting metal discharge were also investigated. The experimental and analytical results confirmed that microwave metal discharge could easily degrade toluene, reaching more than 50% degradation in the presence of very few (n = 5) discharge points. Compared with the traditionally employed tar-cracking process, the proposed process has distinct advantages and characteristics, particularly regarding speed and efficiency. In addition, microwave metal discharge achieves an excellent combination of multi-physical effects of light, heat, and plasma. In this study, the thermal and luminous effects associated with the discharge process were successfully studied in isolation, and a feasible mechanism research method was obtained by the appropriate test instruments and characterization parameters. This facilitates study on the mechanism of toluene degradation by microwave metal discharge. In-depth studies of the mechanism are necessary to enable the potential applications of microwave-assisted pyrolysis, pollutant removal, organic synthesis, and material preparation and regeneration. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.