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Pretreating biomass via demineralisation and torrefaction to improve the quality of crude pyrolysis oil

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  • Wigley, Tansy
  • Yip, Alex C.K.
  • Pang, Shusheng

Abstract

Pretreating biomass prior to pyrolysis was investigated. Three undesirable catalysts naturally present in biomass were identified: inorganics, acids, and water. A pretreatment sequence incorporating acid leaching and torrefaction was developed to reduce/remove these catalysts. Acid leaching targeted reducing the biomass's inorganic content. The acidic liquor produced during torrefaction was rich in acetic and formic acid; this solution was recycled as the acid leaching reagent. The optimal leaching conditions were at 30 °C with 1% acetic acid for 4 h, which decreased the inorganic content from 0.41 wt% to 0.16 wt% for leached biomass. Torrefaction targeted reducing the biomass's moisture and acetyl content and was optimal at 270 °C for 20 min. Bio-oil from pyrolysis of demineralisation and torrefied biomass was depleted in organic acids, pyrolytic lignin, and water but was rich in levoglucosan and aromatics. Decreasing the biomass's acetyl and inorganic content reduced organic acid formation. The water content in the bio-oil was lower because less water entered the system, and water plays an auto-catalytic role during pyrolysis, promoting the production of pyrolytic water. The high levoglucosan yield confirmed that secondary reactions were limited to a much higher degree when both pretreatments were implemented compared to demineralisation or torrefaction alone.

Suggested Citation

  • Wigley, Tansy & Yip, Alex C.K. & Pang, Shusheng, 2016. "Pretreating biomass via demineralisation and torrefaction to improve the quality of crude pyrolysis oil," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 481-494.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:109:y:2016:i:c:p:481-494
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.04.096
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Hsu, Huan-Chun & Lu, Ke-Miao & Lee, Wen-Jhy & Lin, Ta-Chang, 2011. "Thermal pretreatment of wood (Lauan) block by torrefaction and its influence on the properties of the biomass," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 3012-3021.
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    4. Arteaga-Pérez, Luis E. & Gómez Cápiro, Oscar & Romero, Romina & Delgado, Aaron & Olivera, Patricia & Ronsse, Frederik & Jiménez, Romel, 2017. "In situ catalytic fast pyrolysis of crude and torrefied Eucalyptus globulus using carbon aerogel-supported catalysts," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 701-712.
    5. Mohd Safaai, Nor Sharliza & Pang, Shusheng, 2021. "Pyrolysis kinetics of chemically treated and torrefied radiata pine identified through thermogravimetric analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 200-213.
    6. Javed, Muhammad Amir, 2020. "Acid treatment effecting the physiochemical structure and thermal degradation of biomass," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 444-450.
    7. Zhou, Qiaoqiao & Liu, Zhenyu & Wu, Ta Yeong & Zhang, Lian, 2023. "Furfural from pyrolysis of agroforestry waste: Critical factors for utilisation of C5 and C6 sugars," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    8. Cao, Bin & Wang, Shuang & Hu, Yamin & Abomohra, Abd El-Fatah & Qian, Lili & He, Zhixia & Wang, Qian & Uzoejinwa, Benjamin Bernard & Esakkimuthu, Sivakumar, 2019. "Effect of washing with diluted acids on Enteromorpha clathrata pyrolysis products: Towards enhanced bio-oil from seaweeds," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 29-38.
    9. Dai, Leilei & Wang, Yunpu & Liu, Yuhuan & Ruan, Roger & He, Chao & Yu, Zhenting & Jiang, Lin & Zeng, Zihong & Tian, Xiaojie, 2019. "Integrated process of lignocellulosic biomass torrefaction and pyrolysis for upgrading bio-oil production: A state-of-the-art review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 20-36.
    10. Javier Fermoso & Patricia Pizarro & Juan M. Coronado & David P. Serrano, 2017. "Advanced biofuels production by upgrading of pyrolysis bio‐oil," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 6(4), July.

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