Kai Sipilä

Characterization of biomass-based flash pyrolysis oils

Abstract An analytical scheme for the characterization of biomass-based flash pyrolysis oils was developed. The scheme was based on fractionation of the oils with water and on further extraction of the water-soluble fraction with diethylether. The chemical composition of the fractions was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The physical and chemical nature of straw, pine and hardwood pyrolysis oils was determined and compared with each other. Correlations between the physical properties and chemical composition of the oils were drawn. The characterization method will be utilized in further work for stabilization and upgrading tests of flash pyrolysis oils.

Behaviour of Organic Compounds in Biomass Drying

In the thermal drying of wet biomass with steam or flue gases prior to conversion or combustion, organic compounds are released and constitute a load on the environment as emissions to the air or as effluents to natural waters. They can also cause operational problems by contributing to the formation of deposits in downstream sections. The release of these organic detrimental substances was studied both under atmospheric and pressurized conditions. Laboratory-scale fluidized-bed drying experiments were carried out at the temperature range of 150 – 350 °C for pine and birch barks and peat. The hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds released were analyzed by different chromatographic methods. In addition, dust, deposit and condensate samples from industrial bark and peat dryers were analyzed.

Pyrolysis in Finland

The pyrolysis of biomass has been applied industrially in the production of coke from peat in Finland. Other related industrial utilization schemes include gasification of wood residues and peat.

New Options for Biomass-Based Power Production by IGCC: A Finnish National Research Programme — JALO

The share of bioenergy, including waste pulping liquors and wood fuels, in the consumption of primary energy is about 15% in Finland, i.e. one of the highest in the OECD countries. There is a considerable additional use potential in cooking liquors, wood residues and agricultural crops. The extent of utilization is determined by the production cost of biomass as well as advanced conversion technology, compared to fossil fuels. Forest residues will be the most attractive and economical resource compared to agrobiomass, as Finland’s geographical position is northern and hence the harvest levels are rather low. The additional use would especially concern power production at industrial and municipal cogeneration plants. Biotechnically or thermochemically produced liquid fuels might also be attractive especially as oxygenates in reformulated gasoline.