Lignocellulosic feed is expected to contribute significantly to production of liquified and solid combustibles in future, because of the quantity and the variety of feed material. The aim of the project is the production of high-quality biochar and a liquid energy carrier in a nonaqueous hydrocarbon-based pyrolysis system. Therefore, the pyrolytic degradation properties of wood and its building blocks glucose, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin were investigated during liquid-phase pyrolysis conditions. The process was carried out in a semibatch reaction vessel under isothermal conditions at various temperatures between T=350°C and T=390°C. Process pressure was ambient. For optimum heat transfer, pyrolysis was carried out in a liquid heat carrier phase which provides sufficient heat capacity and high heat conductivity for isothermal operation. The interaction between heat carrier, biomass, and biomass products in the liquid and vapor phases was investigated. Liquid-phase pyrolysis is an exothermic process which produces 25-28% liquid CHO products. The heat of reaction is −864±25 kJ/kg at T=350°C. To quantify products of biogenous and fossil origin, liquid products were analyzed by elemental analysis, gas chromatography, and accelerated mass spectroscopy. Solid products were analyzed by elemental analysis, electron microscopy, and accelerated mass spectroscopy.
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