Biomass pyrolysis transforms organic material such as agricultural residues and wood chips into three main components: syngas, bio-oil and biochar (which contain about 60 per cent of the carbon contained in the biomass. Biomass pyrolysis process can be used to sequester the carbon and remove circulating carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in virtually permanent soil carbon pools, making it a carbon-negative process.
Biochar Sequestration
Biochar sequestration is considered carbon negative as it results in a net decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide over centuries or millennia time scales. Biochar sequestration could make a big difference in the fossil fuel emissions worldwide and act as a major player in the global carbon market with its robust, clean and simple production technology. The use of pyrolysis also provides an opportunity for the processing of agricultural residues, wood wastes and municipal solid waste into useful clean energy.
Although some organic matter is necessary for agricultural soil to maintain its productivity, much of the agricultural waste can be turned directly into biochar, bio oil, and syngas.
Methods for Biochar Production
The two main methods for biochar production (sometimes also referred to as charcoal) are fast pyrolysis and slow pyrolysis. The biochar yield is more than 50% in slow pyrolysis but it takes hours to complete. On the other hand, fast pyrolysis yields 20% biochar and takes seconds for complete pyrolysis. In addition, fast pyrolysis gives 60% bio-oil and 20% syngas.
The essential features of a fast pyrolysis process are:
- Very high heating and heat transfer rates, which often require a finely ground biomass feed
- Carefully controlled reaction temperature of around 500oC in the vapour phase and residence time of pyrolysis vapours in the reactor less than 1 s
- Quenching (rapid cooling) of the pyrolysis vapours to give the bio-oil product.
Bio-oil: A Wonder Oil
Bio oil is a dark brown liquid and has a similar composition to biomass. It is composed of a complex mixture of oxygenated hydrocarbons with bio oil has a much higher density than woody materials (three to six times, depending on form), which reduces storage and transport costs.
Bio oil is not suitable for direct use in standard internal combustion engines. Alternatively, the oil can be upgraded to either a special engine fuel or through gasification processes to a syngas and then bio-diesel.
Bio oil is particularly attractive for co-firing because it can be more readily handled and burned than solid fuel and is cheaper to transport and store. Since the oil has a density of about 1200 kg m-3, it can be conveniently transported over long distances.
Current end-use possibilities are as a boiler fuel for stand-alone heat or in combined heat and power (CHP) using the steam cycle after either diesel or gas turbine electricity generation. The majority of these options have been found to be technically feasible. In addition, bio oil is also a vital source for a wide range of organic compounds and speciality chemicals.
Salman is a prolific environmental writer, and has authored more than 500 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management, sustainability and conservation all over the world.
Salman can be reached on salman@cleantechloops.com
- Mortgage Process in the US: An Introduction - September 25, 2023
- Streamlining Vendor Management in Pest Control with Tech Solutions - September 24, 2023
- The Future of Hospitality: What to Expect in Guest Screening Technology - September 24, 2023
Originally posted 2014-11-25 19:55:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
What are some of the companies exploiting the comercial potential of Biochar, Torrefaction and Pyrolysis?
Very Interesting
Dear Nils
Thanks for your kind words. Shall be happy to discuss areas of mutual interests and collaboration.
Best wishes
Salman Zafar
Founder, Cleantech Solutions