Pyrolysis of wood sawdust: Effects of process parameters on products yield and characterization of products

The aim of present research was to study the pyrolysis of wood sawdust in a semi batch reactor and explored the influence of pyrolysis process parameters on the products yield. Pyrolysis process parameters such as temperature, heating rate, nitrogen (N-2) flow rate and particle size of wood sawdust were varied as 350-650 degrees C, 10 and 50 degrees C/min, 50-200 cm(3)/min and <0.25 to >1.7 mm, respectively. The maximum bio-oil yield was found as 44.16 wt% at temperature of 500 degrees C, heating rate of 50 degrees C/min and nitrogen flow rate of 100 cm(3)/min for particle size range of 0.6 < d(p) < 1 mm. The composition and characteristics of bio-oil and bio-char were determined. Different methods such as ultimate analysis, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-1 NMR) were used to characterize bio-oil. Boiling point range of bio-oil was found in between 63 and 360 degrees C. Bio-char and original biomass were analyzed by physicochemical, thermogravimetric as well as analytical methods using sophisticated instruments such as Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.