Sunday, May 4, 2008
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Catalytic Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of High-diversity Grassland Perennials

Johannes Moen1, Bo Zhang1, Changyan Yang1, Zhiping Le2, Kevin Hennessy1, Paul Chen1, and Roger Ruan1. (1) Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55108, (2) Department of Chemistry, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Qianhu, Nanchang, 330031, China

The microwave-assisted pyrolysis of low-input high-diversity mixtures of native grassland perennials was studied. The pyrolysis temperature ranged from 400 to 550°C depending on the power input. The pyrolysis process was evaluated when following catalysts were used: charcoal, solid superacid SO42-/ZrO2-Al2O3, Cl-/Fe-Zr-La, Cl-/Fe2O3, solid alkali CaO-ZrO2, La, and Rh. The pyrolytic oils were separated using solvent extraction, and their characteristics including elemental composition and calorific value were determined. The chemical profiles of the syngas and bio-oils were determined using GC and GC-MS. This study demonstrated that high-diversity grassland perennials could be a source for producing high value syngas and liquid fuels and activated carbons.

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