Effects of several types of biomass fuels on the yield, nanostructure and reactivity of soot from fast pyrolysis at high temperatures

• Published in: Applied energy 2016-06, Vol.171, p.468-482
• Main Authors: Trubetskaya, Anna, Jensen, Peter Arendt, Jensen, Anker Degn, Garcia Llamas, Angel David, Umeki, Kentaro, Gardini, Diego, Kling, Jens, Bates, Richard B., Glarborg, Peter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomass; Drop tube reactor; Energiteknik; Energy Engineering; Fast pyrolysis; Nanostructure; Particle size; Potassium; Pyrolysis; Reactivity; Soot; Straw; Triticum aestivum; Wheat; Wood
• ISSN: 0306-2619; 1872-9118; 1872-9118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.02.127

•Biomass soot samples were generated at fast pyrolysis conditions in a drop tube reactor at 1250 and 1400°C.•The reactivity of soot was determined in 5vol.% O2 and 5vol.% CO2 gasification by thermogravimetric analysis.•The reactivity of soot, generated at 1400°C was higher than that at 1250°C for all biomass types.•Pinewood was less reactive than other soot samples with respect to oxidation and CO2 gasification.•Potassium content played a more important role on the soot reactivity than the particle size and nanostructure. This study presents the effect of biomass origin on the yield, nanostructure and reactivity of soot. Soot was produced from wood and herbaceous biomass pyrolysis at high heating rates and at temperatures of 1250 and 1400°C in a drop tube furnace. The structure of solid residues was characterized by electron microscopy techniques, X-ray diffraction and N2 adsorption. The reactivity of soot was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. Results showed that soot generated at 1400°C was more reactive than soot generated at 1250°C for all biomass types. Pinewood, beechwood and wheat straw soot demonstrated differences in alkali content, particle size and nanostructure. Potassium was incorporated in the soot matrix and significantly influenced soot reactivity. Pinewood soot particles produced at 1250°C had a broader particle size range (27.2–263nm) compared to beechwood soot (33.2–102nm) and wheat straw soot (11.5–165.3nm), and contained mainly multi-core structures.