Fast oxidative pyrolysis of sugar cane straw in a fluidized bed reactor

• Published in: Applied thermal engineering 2013-07, Vol.56 (1-2), p.167-175
• Main Authors: Mesa-Pérez, Juan Miguel, Rocha, José Dilcio, Barbosa-Cortez, Luis Augusto, Penedo-Medina, Margarita, Luengo, Carlos Alberto, Cascarosa, Esther
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Combustion; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equivalence ratio; Exact sciences and technology; Fast pyrolysis; Fluidized bed; Fluidized beds; Heat transfer; Pyrolysis; Reactors; Straw; Sugar cane; Sugar cane straw; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; Thermal engineering
• ISSN: 1359-4311
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2013.03.017

This study focuses on the technical viability evaluation of the fast pyrolysis of sugar cane straw for its energy use. By means of this thermochemical process, the sugar cane straw is converted into bio-fuels (biochar, bio-oil) and non-condensable gases. The bio-fuels obtained could be used as fuel or as raw material in the chemical industry. The fast pyrolysis of sugar cane straw has been developed in a fluidized bed reactor. In order to improve this process to obtain high bio-oil yield, the influence of the operational conditions (equivalence ratio and temperature) on the product yields and on their characteristics was evaluated. The product yields of bio-oil and char were up to 35.5 wt.% and 48.2 wt.% respectively. The maximum bio-oil yield was achieved at temperature and equivalence ratio conditions of 470 °C and 0.14. The bio-oil obtained has low oxygen content (38.48 wt.% dry basis), very low water content, and a lower heating value of 22.95 MJ/kg. The gas chromatographic analyses allowed the identification of oxygenated compounds and heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The bio-oil pH ranged between 3.14 and 3.57 due to the presence of acid organic compounds. The char obtained has a high fixed carbon and volatile matter content. Its HHV value is 13.54 MJ/kg. •Pyrolysis of sugar cane straw was studied in a fluidized bed reactor.•The product yields were evaluated.•The composition of the liquid and solid products obtained was analyzed.•This is an environmentally friendly use for this waste.