Pyrolysis oil is a complex mixture primarily composed of oxygenated hydrocarbons and water, with additional components like solid char.
It is formed through the process of pyrolysis, which involves rapidly heating biomass in an oxygen-deficient environment and then rapidly quenching it to preserve the intermediate decomposition products of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin.
This process results in a liquid that includes various reactive species, making it distinct from traditional fuel oils.
What is in Pyrolysis Oil? 5 Key Components Explained
1. Oxygenated Hydrocarbons
The primary constituents of pyrolysis oil are oxygenated hydrocarbons.
These include aliphatic and aromatic compounds, phenols, aldehydes, levoglucosan, hydroxyacetaldehyde, and hydrocarbon chains.
These compounds are derived from the decomposition of biomass components like hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin.
2. Water Content
Pyrolysis oil typically contains a significant amount of water, ranging from 20 to 30% by weight.
This water originates both from the original moisture in the biomass and as a reaction product during pyrolysis.
3. Solid Char
In addition to the liquid components, pyrolysis oil may also contain solid char.
This is a residue from the incomplete decomposition of biomass.
4. Micro-emulsion Structure
Pyrolysis oil can be considered a micro-emulsion.
The continuous phase is an aqueous solution of holocellulose decomposition products.
This phase stabilizes the discontinuous phase of pyrolytic lignin macro-molecules through mechanisms such as hydrogen bonding.
5. Properties and Challenges
Pyrolysis oil is generally unstable and can change over time.
Particularly, it can increase in viscosity due to condensation reactions of its reactive components, leading to phase separation.
Unlike traditional fuel oils, pyrolysis oil cannot be completely re-vaporized once recovered.
Heating it above 100°C leads to rapid reactions, eventually producing a solid residue and a distillate containing volatile organic compounds and water.
Pyrolysis oil is not miscible with petroleum oils, contains up to 40% oxygen by weight, has a lower heating value than petroleum oil, is acidic, and has a higher density than water.
These properties make it distinct and require specific handling and processing techniques.
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