Sunday, May 4, 2008
4-36

Influence of microwave pyrolysis conditions on char properties

Fei Yu1, Zhiping Le2, and Philip Steele1. (1) Department of Forest Products, Mississippi State University, Box 9820, Mississippi state, MS 39762, (2) Department of Chemistry, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Road, Qianhu, Nanchang, 330031, China

Microwave pyrolysis is a new process for converting biomass to bio-oil, syngas and solid char. In this study, pyrolysis of corn cob was carried out in an inert environment at atmospheric pressure and temperatures ranging from 300 to 600°C. The aim of this work was to study the effect of pyrolysis conditions on the characteristics of the solid char residue. The char was characterized using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Elemental analyzer. The char yield from pyrolysis decreased significantly to 21% with an increase in temperature to 600°C. SEM analysis indicated that pyrolysis of corn cob led to a stepwise accumulation of inorganic matter onto the exposed surface, and some organic matter melted, resulting in the formation of hollow cavities by evolving volatile. FTIR results showed a continuous decrease in the intensity of the hydroxyl group stretch with temperature and the aromatic group to be at maximum at 600°C. Elemental analysis indicated the H/C ratio of the char decreased continuously with temperature, while the O/C ratio remained almost constant above 300°C.

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