Co-pyrolysis of macroalgae and lignocellulosic biomass

• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-018-7834-2
• Publication Date: 2018-10-27T06:12:55Z
• Authors: Benjamin Bernard ...; Xiuhua He; Shuang Wang; Abd El-Fatah Abom...; Yamin Hu; Zhixia He; Qian Wang
• Keywords: Husk; Lignocellulosic Biomass; Heat of combustion; Pyrolysis oil; Central composite design

Synergistic effect of co-pyrolysis of macroalgae [Enteromorpha prolifera (EP)] and lignocellulosic biomass [rice husk (RH)] in a fixed bed reactor for maximum and enhanced biofuels yield has been investigated. The main and interaction effects of three effective co-pyrolysis parameters (pyrolysis temperature, feedstock blending ratio, and heating rate) were also modeled and simulated to determine the yield rates of bio-oil and bio-char, respectively. Optimization studies were, then, performed to predict the optimal conditions for maximum yields using the central composite circumscribed experimental design in Design Expert® software 8.0.6. Analysis of variance was carried out to determine whether the fit of the multiple regressions is significant for the second-order model. Normal pyrolysis oils from EP, RH, and co-pyrolysis oils obtained from different feedstock blending ratios were examined using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify their compositions. Some vital properties of oils and bio-chars such as the heating value, water content, elemental compositions, and specific gravity were also determined, which unveiled that synergistic effect exists between EP and RH during co-pyrolysis, and this led to increase in products’ yields and improved co-pyrolysis products’ quality.