IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v336y2025ics0360544225041167.html

Morphology-controlled biomass pyrolysis for enhanced tar and syngas yields: A lattice Boltzmann approach

Author

Listed:
  • Yao, Zhimin
  • Na, Xiang
  • Pan, Yaoyu
  • Hu, Tao
  • Zhang, Xiaoyuan

Abstract

Biomass pyrolysis serves as an effective approach to convert low-grade biomass into high-value energy carriers (tar and syngas), with particle morphology characteristics significantly influencing the thermochemical conversion process. This study employed the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) to solve conservation equations coupled with a pyrolysis kinetic model incorporating three parallel primary pyrolysis and a set of secondary pyrolysis. The investigation comprised three systematic approaches: (1) analysis of elliptical cross-section cylindrical particles with fixed horizontal axis dimensions but varying particle aspect ratios(λ), followed by (2) comprehensive evaluation of pyrolysis yield of varying sizes with identical aspect ratios, (3) analyze the effects of aspect ratio variations under constant cross-sectional area. Key findings revealed that particles with λ = 0.250 exhibited maximized tar and syngas yields, while char production peaked at 20.84% for spherical particles (λ = 1.000) when the dimension of the horizontal axis remains unchanged. Particle size analysis demonstrated an inverse correlation between dimension scale and volatile production. Rreciprocal aspect ratio pairs (λ and 1/λ) exhibited thermal response asymmetry, where lower λ values accelerated pyrolysis process. The spherical configuration displayed prolonged conversion duration and minimized volatile release due to radial heat transfer limitations. When maintaining a constant cross-sectional area, altering the aspect ratio not only has a effect on tar and syngas yield but effectively reduces the conversion time. These findings demonstrate the critical role of particle morphology engineering in biomass pyrolysis optimization, proposing strategic control of aspect ratio and particle dimensions for targeted product distribution.

Suggested Citation

  • Yao, Zhimin & Na, Xiang & Pan, Yaoyu & Hu, Tao & Zhang, Xiaoyuan, 2025. "Morphology-controlled biomass pyrolysis for enhanced tar and syngas yields: A lattice Boltzmann approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:336:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225041167
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.138474
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225041167
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2025.138474?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ge, Lichao & Zhao, Can & Wang, Ziqian & Zuo, Mingjin & Yao, Lei & Wu, Kefeng & Wang, Yang & Xu, Chang, 2025. "A new method for the preparation of biomass-based solid fuels: Pyrolysis-impregnation-cobaking," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    2. Tamer Y. A. Fahmy & Yehia Fahmy & Fardous Mobarak & Mohamed El-Sakhawy & Ragab E. Abou-Zeid, 2020. "Biomass pyrolysis: past, present, and future," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 17-32, January.
    3. Kan, Tao & Strezov, Vladimir & Evans, Tim J., 2016. "Lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis: A review of product properties and effects of pyrolysis parameters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 1126-1140.
    4. Garg, Rahul & Anand, Neeru & Kumar, Dinesh, 2016. "Pyrolysis of babool seeds (Acacia nilotica) in a fixed bed reactor and bio-oil characterization," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA), pages 167-171.
    5. Li, Longfei & Luo, Zhongyang & Du, Liwen & Miao, Feiting & Liu, Longyi, 2025. "Prediction of product yields and heating value of bio-oil from biomass fast pyrolysis: Explainable predictive modeling and evaluation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    6. Zhao, Ruixin & Liu, Shanjian & Li, Zhihe & Liu, Yinjiao & Li, Ning & Xu, Pan, 2024. "Exergy, exergoeconomic and carbon emission analysis of a novel biomass pyrolysis system with self-heating and torrefaction," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    7. Lee, Taewoo & Lee, Sangyoon & Tsang, Yiu Fai & Kwon, Eilhann E., 2025. "Carbon-negative power generation using syngas produced from CO2-cofeeding pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 325(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rijo, Bruna & Soares Dias, Ana Paula & Ramos, Marta & Ameixa, Marcelo, 2022. "Valorization of forest waste biomass by catalyzed pyrolysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    2. Angelos-Ikaros Altantzis & Nikolaos-Christos Kallistridis & George Stavropoulos & Anastasia Zabaniotou, 2022. "Peach Seeds Pyrolysis Integrated into a Zero Waste Biorefinery: an Experimental Study," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 351-382, March.
    3. Kumar, R. & Strezov, V. & Weldekidan, H. & He, J. & Singh, S. & Kan, T. & Dastjerdi, B., 2020. "Lignocellulose biomass pyrolysis for bio-oil production: A review of biomass pre-treatment methods for production of drop-in fuels," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    4. Gholizadeh, Mortaza & Hu, Xun & Liu, Qing, 2019. "A mini review of the specialties of the bio-oils produced from pyrolysis of 20 different biomasses," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-1.
    5. Ashfaq Ahmed & Muhammad S. Abu Bakar & Abdul Razzaq & Syarif Hidayat & Farrukh Jamil & Muhammad Nadeem Amin & Rahayu S. Sukri & Noor S. Shah & Young-Kwon Park, 2021. "Characterization and Thermal Behavior Study of Biomass from Invasive Acacia mangium Species in Brunei Preceding Thermochemical Conversion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-13, May.
    6. Lee, Seokhwan & Woo, Sang Hee & Kim, Yongrae & Choi, Young & Kang, Kernyong, 2020. "Combustion and emission characteristics of a diesel-powered generator running with N-butanol/coffee ground pyrolysis oil/diesel blended fuel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    7. JoungDu Shin & SangWon Park & Changyoon Jeong, 2020. "Assessment of Agro-Environmental Impacts for Supplemented Methods to Biochar Manure Pellets during Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) Cultivation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-14, April.
    8. Yang, Yuhan & Wang, Tiancheng & Hu, Hongyun & Yao, Dingding & Zou, Chan & Xu, Kai & Li, Xian & Yao, Hong, 2021. "Influence of partial components removal on pyrolysis behavior of lignocellulosic biowaste in molten salts," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 616-625.
    9. Primaz, Carmem T. & Ribes-Greus, Amparo & Jacques, Rosângela A., 2021. "Valorization of cotton residues for production of bio-oil and engineered biochar," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    10. Daabo, Ahmed M. & Saeed, Liqaa I. & Altamer, Marwa H. & Fadhil, Abdelrahman B. & Badawy, Tawfik, 2022. "The production of bio-based fuels and carbon catalysts from chicken waste," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 21-34.
    11. Elhambakhsh, Abbas & Van Duc Long, Nguyen & Lamichhane, Pradeep & Hessel, Volker, 2023. "Recent progress and future directions in plasma-assisted biomass conversion to hydrogen," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    12. Qin, Fanzhi & Zhang, Chen & Zeng, Guangming & Huang, Danlian & Tan, Xiaofei & Duan, Abing, 2022. "Lignocellulosic biomass carbonization for biochar production and characterization of biochar reactivity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    13. Shao, Shanshan & Zhang, Pengfei & Xiang, Xianliang & Li, Xiaohua & Zhang, Huiyan, 2022. "Promoted ketonization of bagasse pyrolysis gas over red mud-based oxides," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 11-18.
    14. Chen, Xiangmeng & Shafizadeh, Alireza & Shahbeik, Hossein & Nadian, Mohammad Hossein & Golvirdizadeh, Milad & Peng, Wanxi & Lam, Su Shiung & Tabatabaei, Meisam & Aghbashlo, Mortaza, 2025. "Enhanced bio-oil production from biomass catalytic pyrolysis using machine learning," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    15. Zhu, Youjian & Wu, Lei & Liu, Huihui & Yang, Wei & Li, Hui & Zhang, Wennan & Li, Yu & Yang, Haiping & Jin, Yanling & Zhao, Hai, 2025. "Catalytic pyrolysis of duckweed with phosphoric acid: Products yield and composition," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    16. repec:ers:journl:v:xxiv:y:2021:i:4:p:517-533 is not listed on IDEAS
    17. Alsulami, Radi A. & El-Sayed, Saad A. & Eltaher, Mohamed A. & Mohammad, Akram & Almitani, Khalid H. & Mostafa, Mohamed E., 2023. "Pyrolysis kinetics and thermal degradation characteristics of coffee, date seed, and prickly pear wastes and their blends," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    18. Wang, Chu & Yuan, Xinhua & Li, Shanshan & Zhu, Xifeng, 2021. "Enrichment of phenolic products in walnut shell pyrolysis bio-oil by combining torrefaction pretreatment with fractional condensation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 1317-1329.
    19. Sitek, Tomáš & Pospíšil, Jiří & Poláčik, Ján & Špiláček, Michal & Varbanov, Petar, 2019. "Fine combustion particles released during combustion of unit mass of beechwood," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 390-396.
    20. Wang, Wei & Zhong, Zhaoping & Zheng, Xiang & Ye, Qihang & Li, Yihui & Yang, Yuxuan & Qi, Renzhi, 2025. "Catalytic co-pyrolysis of hydrolyzed lignin and waste tires over NiMo modified HZSM-5/MCM-41 composite molecular sieve in microwave fluidized bed for monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 329(C).
    21. Kumar, R. & Strezov, V., 2021. "Thermochemical production of bio-oil: A review of downstream processing technologies for bio-oil upgrading, production of hydrogen and high value-added products," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:336:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225041167. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.