Comparison of non-catalytic and catalytic fast pyrolysis of corncob in a fluidized bed reactor

Bioresour Technol. 2009 Feb;100(3):1428-34. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.08.031. Epub 2008 Sep 30.

Abstract

Fast pyrolysis of corncob with and without catalyst was investigated in a fluidized bed to determine the effects of pyrolysis parameters (temperature, gas flow rate, static bed height and particle size) and a HZSM-5 zeolite catalyst on the product yields and the qualities of the liquid products. The result showed that the optimal conditions for liquid yield (56.8%) were a pyrolysis temperature of 550 degrees C, gas flow rate of 3.4 L/min, static bed height of 10 cm and particle size of 1.0-2.0mm. The presence of the catalyst increased the yields of non-condensable gas, water and coke, while decreased the liquid and char yields. The elemental analysis showed that more than 25% decrease in oxygen content of the collected liquid in the second condenser with HZSM-5 was observed compared with that without catalyst. The H/C, O/C molar ratios and the higher heating value of the oil fraction in the collected liquid with the catalyst were 1.511, 0.149 and 34.6 MJ/kg, respectively. It was indicated that the collected liquid in the second condenser had high qualities and might be used as transport oil.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bioelectric Energy Sources*
  • Bioreactors*
  • Catalysis
  • Corn Oil / chemistry*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Plant Components, Aerial / chemistry*
  • Rheology / methods*
  • Zea mays / chemistry*
  • Zeolites / chemistry*

Substances

  • Zeolites
  • Corn Oil