Başak Burcu Uzun

Biocrude from biomass: pyrolysis of cottonseed cake

Fixed-bed pyrolysis experiments have been conducted on a sample of cottonseed cake to determine the possibility of being a potential source of renewable fuels and chemicals feedstocks, in two different reactors, namely a tubular and a Heinze retort. Pyrolysis atmosphere and pyrolysis temperature effects on the pyrolysis product yields and chemical composition have been investigated. The maximumm oil yield of 29.68% was obtained in N2 atmosphere at a pyrolysis temperature of 550°C with a heating rate of 7°C min−1 in a tubular reactor.

Thermogravimetric characteristics and kinetics of scrap tyre and Juglans regia shell co-pyrolysis:

The degradation kinetics of Juglans regia shell, scrap tyre and their blends were investigated using a thermogravimetric analysis method. Experiments were performed under dynamic conditions and a nitrogen atmosphere in the range 293 to 973 K at different heating rates. During pyrolysis of J. regia shell three mass loss zones were specified as removal of water, decomposition of hemicelluloses and cellulose, and decomposition of lignin. The degradation curves of scrap tyre showed merely one stage which was due to decomposition of styrene butadiene rubber. The kinetic parameters were calculated using both Arrhenius and Coats–Redfern methods. By adopting the Arrhenius method, the average value of activation energies of J. regia shell, scrap tyre and their 1 : 1 blends were found to be 69.22, 71.48 and 47.03 kJ mol−1, respectively. Additionally, by using the Coats–Redfern method, the average value of activation energies of J. regia shell, scrap tyre and their 1 : 1 blend were determined as 99.85, 78.72 and 63.81 kJ mol−1, respectively. The addition of J. regia shell to scrap tyre caused a reduction in the activation energies. The difference of weight loss was measured to examine interactions between raw materials. The maximum difference between experimental and theoretical mass loss was 5% at about 648 K with a heating rate of 20 K min−1. These results indicated a significant synergistic effect was available during co-pyrolysis of J. regia shell and scrap tyre in the high temperature region.

The effect of pyrolysis atmosphere on bio-oil yields and structure

ABSTRACT A food industry waste, almond shell, was pyrolyzed under three different environment static, nitrogen, and steam to produce bio-oil and its derivatives. The oil yield obtained at pyrolysis temperature of 600°C was 24.23% in a static atmosphere, whereas it increased to 27.25% and 33.05% in nitrogen and steam atmospheres, respectively. The bio-oil obtained under steam atmosphere is very efficient due to the production of high liquid and gas yields. Moreover, co-feeding steam during the pyrolysis altered the bio-oil structure by increasing the aliphatics and reducing the asphaltenes. Moreover, steam treatment also increases H/C and heating value of bio-oils. According to the obtained results, steam pyrolysis is an alternative option for future applications in refineries.

Effect of operating parameters on bio-fuel production from waste furniture sawdust.

Fast pyrolysis is an effective technology for conversion of biomass into energy and value-added chemicals instead of burning them directly. In this study, fast pyrolysis of waste furniture sawdust (pine sawdust) was investigated under various reaction conditions (reaction time, pyrolysis temperature, heating rate, residence time and particle size) in a tubular reactor. The optimum reaction conditions for bio-oil production was found as reaction time of 5 min, pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C, heating rate of 300 °C min−1 under nitrogen flow rate of 400 cm3 min−1. At these conditions, maximum bio-oil yield was obtained as 42.09%. Pyrolysis oils were characterized by using various elemental analyses, fourier – transformation infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The results of the GC–MS showed that cracking of large molecular phenolics was followed by partial conversion into phenol and alkylated phenols (45%) during the pyrolysis. According to the experimental and characterization results; the liquid product could be used as feedstock for the chemical industry or petroleum crude for refinery.

Opportunities and Uses of Biochar on Forest Sites in North America

Biochar may be useful for restoring or revitalizing degraded forest soils and help with carbon sequestration, nutrient leaching losses, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, biochar is not currently widely used on forested lands across North America. This chapter provides an overview of several biochar experiments conducted in North America and discusses the feasibility of using in-woods mobile pyrolysis systems to convert excess forest biomass into biochar. Biochar may be applied to forest sites in order to positively influence soil properties (nutrient leaching, water holding capacity), but its biggest benefit may be in facilitating reforestation of degraded or contaminated sites, and in sequestering carbon in soils. The majority of data on biochar applications on forest sites focus on seedling responses and short-term impacts on nutrients, soil physical properties and microbial changes. Long-term field research is necessary to determine water use, carbon sequestration, nutrient use, and greenhouse gas emissions, and the subsequent alteration of forest growth and stand dynamics.

Biochar: A Regional Supply Chain Approach in View of Climate Change Mitigation

Biochar systems are designed to meet four related primary objectives: improve soils, manage waste, generate renewable energy, and mitigate climate change. Supply chain models provide a holistic framework for examining biochar systems with an emphasis on product life cycle and end use. Drawing on concepts in supply chain management and engineering, this chapter presents biochar as a manufactured product with a wide range of feedstocks, production technologies, and end use options. Supply chain segments are discussed in detail using diverse examples from agriculture, forestry and other sectors that cut across different scales of production and socioeconomic environments. Particular attention is focused on the environmental impacts of different production and logistics functions, and the relationship between supply chain management and life cycle assessment. The connections between biochar supply chains and those of various co-products, substitute products, and final products are examined from economic and environmental perspectives. For individuals, organizations, and broad associations connected by biochar supply and demand, achieving biochar’s potential benefits efficiently will hinge on understanding, organizing, and managing information, resources and materials across the supply chain, moving biochar from a nascent to an established industry.

Optimization of Biodiesel Production and Fuel Properties of Blends

In this study, optimization of essential parameters, such as reaction time, reaction temperature, methanol/oil molar ratio, catalyst amount, and type of biodiesel production via transesterification, were investigated. The maximum yield under the optimal conditions was found to be ~95%. Analytical methods were used to determine the fuel characteristics of the final product. The results were compared with specified limits of the ASTM D 6751 and the EN 14214 standards. Finally, produced biodiesel was blended with five different commercial diesel fuels. B20 was found to be an optimum blend without giving any negative effect on petro diesel performance.

Catalytic pyrolysis of waste furniture sawdust for bio-oil production

In this study, the catalytic pyrolysis of waste furniture sawdust in the presence of ZSM-5, H-Y and MCM-41 (10 wt % of the biomass sample) was carried out in order to increase the quality of the liquid product at the various pyrolysis temperatures of 400, 450, 500 and 550oC. In the non-catalytic work, the maximum oil yield was obtained as 42% at 500oC in a fixed-bed reactor system. In the catalytic work, the maximum oil yield was decreased to 37.48, 30.04 and 29.23% in the presence of ZSM-5, H-Y and MCM-41, respectively. The obtained pyrolysis oils were analyzed by various spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. It was determined that the use of a catalyst decreased acids and increased valuable organics found in the bio-oil. The removal of oxygen from bio-oil was confirmed with the results of the elemental analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Life Cycle Analysis of Biochar

1 All products including bioproducts have an impact on the environment by consuming resources 2 and releasing emissions during their production. Biochar has received considerable attention 3 because of its potential to sequester carbon in soil while enhancing productivity. In addition, 4 using a renewable source of feedstock to make the biochar is more likely to be sustainable. In 5 this chapter, we discuss the environmental impacts of producing biochar using a holistic method 6 called life-cycle assessment (LCA) or more generally life-cycle analysis. LCA is an internationally 7 accepted method that can calculate greenhouse gas (GHG) and other emissions for part or all of 8 a product life cycle. One huge benefit is that LCA provides metrics to compare alternative 9 substitutable products. For example, using the metrics estimated from a LCA study such as 10 impacts of climate change for a new and current product, LCA outcomes can show which 11 product has less impact on the environment and human health and is more likely to be 12 sustainable. LCA can be thought of as an approach similar to financial accounting but instead 13 focused on the environment. Generally, the following chapter will show how LCA can assess 14 impacts of the entire supply chain associated with all steps of the biochar system, from biomass 15 harvesting to soil amendment with a focus on the biomass thermochemical conversion step. 16 Specifically, a description of how the LCA method was developed and is used will be shown in 17 the context of biochar production. Conducting LCA can capture many direct and indirect effects 18 from the production of fuels and materials used in product production. We will also describe a 19 new advanced pyrolysis technology developed in the United States and used to process waste 20 woody biomass, thus exploring biochar LCA from a forestry perspective. Therefore, this chapter 21 will present LCA mostly from a forestry perspective, although agricultural activities will be 22 discussed. The new pyrolysis technology produces biochar, along with synthesis gas, and we 23 will discuss its environmental performance based on the LCA research conducted so far. 24 25