Experimental process parameters optimization and in-depth product characterizations for teak sawdust pyrolysis

Abstract

Pyrolysis is an efficient thermochemical route to obtain biofuels in the form of bio-oil, biochar and pyrolytic gas from the processing of biomass. Pyrolysis experiments were performed with teak sawdust to determine the yield and main characteristics of solid, liquid and gaseous products. Experiments were carried out in the temperature range of 400-700 °C in 100 °C intervals, nitrogen flow rate of 150-250 mL/min, packed bed height in between 2 and 8 cm and particle size in between 0.18 and 0.60 mm. The maximum bio-oil and biochar yield were observed at 600 °C (48.8%) and 400 °C (37.42%), respectively. Physical properties (viscosity, density, carbon residue, pH and HHV) of bio-oil were determined and the chemical properties were investigated using FTIR and GC-MS. Further, biochar was characterized with proximate, ultimate, HHV, FTIR, SEM-EDX, BET surface area and XRD analysis. Non-condensable gases coming out during pyrolysis were analyzed using gas chromatography and amount of H₂, CH₄, CO and CO₂ were determined. According to characterization results, bio-oil can be used as biofuel after up gradation or as source of valuable chemicals, biochar can be utilized as solid fuel or seems to be suitable in waste stream purification as it has very high BET surface area. In addition, pyrolytic gases have significant amount of methane and hydrogen that provides good combustion properties.

Keywords: Bio-energy; Characterization; Process parameters; Teak sawdust pyrolysis.