Sunday, May 4, 2008
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Fractionation and characterization of bio-oil from biomass pyrolysis

Changyan Yang, Johannes Moen, Bo Zhang, Kevin Hennessy, Paul Chen, and Roger Ruan. Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55108

Bio-oil is a complex mixture of polar and non-polar compounds, and cannot be used directly as a combustion engine fuel due to its low heating value, high viscosity, chemical instability and incomplete volatility. In an attempt to produce liquid engine fuel from the bio-oil, solvent extraction and fractionation of bio-oil was studied and optimized. Fractions obtained were then characterized using GC/MS, FTIR and thermogravimetric techniques (TG). The lighter oily components (light oil) extracted from the raw bio-oil was evaluated for its miscibility with gasoline and the carbon residue in air after combustion. The suitability of the light oil as an engine fuel was discussed.