Pyrolysis is a process of thermal decomposition of biomass that occurs in the absence of oxygen. It is a fundamental chemical reaction that is the precursor to combustion and gasification processes. The products of biomass pyrolysis include biochar, bio-oil, and gases such as methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
The main gases emitted during pyrolysis are a mixture of H2, hydrocarbon gases (C1-C4), CO2, CO, and H2S. These pyrolytic gases can be classified into three categories: incombustible gases (H2O and CO2), combustible gases (CO and CH4), and N-containing gases (NH3 and HCN). The yield of gases is influenced by the pyrolysis temperature, with lower temperatures resulting in lower gas yields and higher temperatures leading to further secondary reactions and increased gas production. The use of a zeolite catalyst during pyrolysis can also increase the yield of pyrolytic gases.
The formation of CO2 mainly originates from the decomposition reactions of carbonyl and carboxyl groups in biomass pyrolysis, while the formation of CO mainly results from breaking of C-O-C and C=O bonds. H2 is mainly produced from breaking of C-H groups and aromatics. At low temperatures, CO and CO2 are the dominant gaseous products, while CH4 becomes dominant at high temperatures due to lignin depolarization reactions.
Pyrolysis also results in other products such as solid char (including organic matter and ash), liquids (water and bio-oil), and gases. Biochar is mainly produced at low temperatures, while gases are mainly produced at high temperatures with rapid heating rates. Bio-oil is the main product at intermediate temperatures and relatively high heating rates. Bio-oil is a brown, polar liquid comprised of a mix of oxygenated compounds, which can vary depending on the feedstock and reaction conditions.
Overall, pyrolysis produces a wide range of products, including gases such as CO, CO2, CH4, H2, and CXHY gases, as well as solid char and liquids like water and bio-oil. The specific composition and yield of these products can vary depending on the temperature, heating rate, and presence of catalysts during the pyrolysis process.
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