Industrial companies, forestry and agriculture annually produce a large amount of biomass wastes. These wastes mostly don’t used because of different technological and economic factors. They have some disadvantages for technological application: dispersion at territory with low density, hygroscopicity with biological activity, low bulk density, etc.
Fast ablative pyrolysis is one of the economically efficient technologies for processing of lignocellulosic feedstock at present time. Liquid products obtained by fast pyrolysis have energy density 12 times larger than initial biomass and can be effectively transported for further treatment.
Our original patented technology of fast ablative pyrolysis allows processing of wastes at the place of their formation into such useful products as biooil and biochar. These products further can be treated for production of fuel, chemicals, materials and other traditional products by the means of current infrastructure.
How it works
The reaction mode during ablative pyrolysis is similar to the melting of oil in a pan. The melting rate can be significantly increased by pressing and moving the oil on the surface of the heated pan. During ablative pyrolysis, heat is transferred from the wall of the hot reactor to the “molten” substance (for example, wood), which contacts it under pressure. Thus, the pyrolysis front moves unidirectionally through a biomass particle.
Physicochemical nature of the process of fast ablative pyrolysis consist in mechanically activated thermal decomposition of organic polymers of biomass in absence of the oxidizer at comparatively low temperatures of 450-550°C, high heating rate and low products residence time at reaction zone (up to 2-3 s).
The process is carried out as follows. Biomass preliminarily dried to moisture content less than 10% and grinded to size less than 50 mm is fed to the reactor. There mechanically activated thermal decomposition of the biomass in absence of the oxidizer by the heat produced at energy module. In the result char and gas-vapor mixture are produced.
The main properties of ablative pyrolysis
high pressure of particles on the wall of a hot reactor, obtained due to centrifugal force or mechanically;
progressive relative motion between the particle and the wall of the reactor;
reactor wall temperature less than 600 degrees Celsius.
Benefits of using ablative Pyrolysis
The reaction rate is not limited by heat transfer through a biomass particle.
There is no upper limit to the size that can be processed.
The process is limited by the rate of heat supply to the reactor, and not by the rate of heat absorption by pyrolysis biomass, as in other reactors.
The process does not require inert gas to operate.
The reaction system is more intense than other reactors.
Low cost of output products.
Fast cooling and condensation of the gas-vapor mixture allow separation of liquid (biooil) and combustible gas. Combustible gas go for combustion and production of heat for the process.
Industrial companies, forestry and agriculture annually produce a large amount of biomass wastes. These wastes mostly don’t used because of different technological and economic factors. They have some disadvantages for technological application: dispersion at territory with low density, hygroscopicity with biological activity, low bulk density, etc.
Fast ablative pyrolysis is one of the economically efficient technologies for processing of lignocellulosic feedstock at present time. Liquid products obtained by fast pyrolysis have energy density 12 times larger than initial biomass and can be effectively transported for further treatment.
Our original patented technology of fast ablative pyrolysis allows processing of wastes at the place of their formation into such useful products as biooil and biochar. These products further can be treated for production of fuel, chemicals, materials and other traditional products by the means of current infrastructure.
How it works
The reaction mode during ablative pyrolysis is similar to the melting of oil in a pan. The melting rate can be significantly increased by pressing and moving the oil on the surface of the heated pan. During ablative pyrolysis, heat is transferred from the wall of the hot reactor to the “molten” substance (for example, wood), which contacts it under pressure. Thus, the pyrolysis front moves unidirectionally through a biomass particle.
Physicochemical nature of the process of fast ablative pyrolysis consist in mechanically activated thermal decomposition of organic polymers of biomass in absence of the oxidizer at comparatively low temperatures of 450-550°C, high heating rate and low products residence time at reaction zone (up to 2-3 s).
The process is carried out as follows. Biomass preliminarily dried to moisture content less than 10% and grinded to size less than 50 mm is fed to the reactor. There mechanically activated thermal decomposition of the biomass in absence of the oxidizer by the heat produced at energy module. In the result char and gas-vapor mixture are produced.
The main properties of ablative pyrolysis
high pressure of particles on the wall of a hot reactor, obtained due to centrifugal force or mechanically;
progressive relative motion between the particle and the wall of the reactor;
reactor wall temperature less than 600 degrees Celsius.
Benefits of using ablative Pyrolysis
The reaction rate is not limited by heat transfer through a biomass particle.
There is no upper limit to the size that can be processed.
The process is limited by the rate of heat supply to the reactor, and not by the rate of heat absorption by pyrolysis biomass, as in other reactors.
The process does not require inert gas to operate.
The reaction system is more intense than other reactors.
Low cost of output products.
Fast cooling and condensation of the gas-vapor mixture allow separation of liquid (biooil) and combustible gas. Combustible gas go for combustion and production of heat for the process.
Liquid products of thermochemical processing of lignocellulosic biomass (biooil) are the dark liquid with smoky odor. When produced from lignocellulosic feedstock biooil conform the requirements of ASTM D 7544-10.
Table. Main properties of pyrolysis liquid products
№
Parameter, Unit
Value
1
Lower heat of combustion, MJ/kg, more than
15
2
Density at 20°С, kg/m3
1100-1300
3
Water content, w%, less than
30
4
Content of solid particles, w%, less than
2,5
5
Kinematic viscosity at 20°С, mm2/с, less than
125
6
Sulfur content, w%, less than
0,05
7
Ash content, w%, less than
0,25
8
Ignition point, °C, more than
45
9
Pour point, °C, less than
-9
10
pH
2-3
Liquid products of fast ablative pyrolysis of lignocellulosic feedstock contain low-molecular compounds and oligomeric products and resins.
Solid products of thermochemical processing of lignocellulosic biomass represent fine-dispersed black powder with high carbon content.
Table. Main properties of char
№
Parameter, Unit
Value
1.
Lower heat of combustion, MJ/kg
20-33
2.
Density, kg/m3
260-380
3.
Carbon content, w%
40-70
4.
Ash content, w%
До 15
5.
Characteristic size, mm
0,1
Biooil application:
Alternative fuel for small and public energy production (application in boilers as replacement for petroleum derived heating oil and fuel oil.
Components of motor fuels
Binder for composite materials (production of biopolymers, replacement of phenol in phenol- formaldehyde resins, replacement of polyols in polyurethanes up to 30%):
Feedstock for road construction (addition to bitumen as adhesive up to 30%);
Feedstock for chemical industry (separation of useful components, rectification, production of oils and motor fuels).
