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Effect of cryogenic pretreatment on product characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis using liquid nitrogen

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  • Xu, Tao
  • Chen, Lingyun
  • Zheng, Xiuren
  • Chen, Jie

Abstract

Pyrolysis serves as the bedrock of thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass and constitutes one of the techniques towards high-value utilization of bioenergy, but it encounters core issues such as low bio-oil yield and inferior quality. To address these challenges, a novel pyrolysis method that combines cryogenic pretreatment and fast pyrolysis was adopted and investigated. The freezing pretreatment method was utilized for rice and wheat straws to explore the evolution mechanism of the product distribution and composition of biomass pyrolysis under cryogenic pretreatment. The experiments revealed that, in comparison with conventional pyrolysis, the pyrolysis bio-oil yield of after cryogenic pretreatment increased by 3.2–24.4 wt%, and the cryogenic pretreatment temperature exhibited a positive correlation with the bio-oil yield. The highest bio-oil yield was obtained at −90 °C (22.3–24 wt%). Cryogenic pretreatment exerted a significant transformative impact on the composition of bio-oil, with the content of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in bio-oil increasing significantly, with the maximum increment reaching 251.3 wt%. In addition, cryogenic pretreatment inhibited the release of CO2 and CO during biomass pyrolysis, while promoting the formation of CH4 and H2. Furthermore, cryogenic pretreatment increased the C content and calorific value of bio-char.

Suggested Citation

  • Xu, Tao & Chen, Lingyun & Zheng, Xiuren & Chen, Jie, 2026. "Effect of cryogenic pretreatment on product characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis using liquid nitrogen," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PG).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pg:s0960148125021585
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124494
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ma, Liyang & Goldfarb, Jillian L. & Ma, Qiulin, 2022. "Enabling lower temperature pyrolysis with aqueous ionic liquid pretreatment as a sustainable approach to rice husk conversion to biofuels," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 712-722.
    2. 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.
    3. Meng, Fanbin & Wang, Donghai, 2020. "Effects of vacuum freeze drying pretreatment on biomass and biochar properties," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 1-9.
    4. Ren, Qiangqiang & Zhao, Changsui, 2015. "Evolution of fuel-N in gas phase during biomass pyrolysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 408-418.
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