Prediction of fast pyrolysis products yields using lignocellulosic compounds and ash contents

The effects of lignocellulosic biomass composition on product yields and distributions were studied under hightemperature pyrolysis conditions (800-1250 °C) in a drop tube reactor. Several types of biomass were studied along with xylan, cellulose, and two types of lignin as model feeds. Among the model feeds, soot yields obtained from lignin pyrolysis were greater than those obtained from cellulose or xylan. Cellulose pyrolysis produced mostly gaseous products, along with small amounts of tars. Impregnation of lignin with alkali metals greatly reduced tar and soot formation, simultaneously increasing the hydrogen content of the syngas product. An empirical model predicted with reasonable accuracy trends in the product yields obtained from pyrolysis of whole biomass samples using as input data obtained from model feeds composition data and the pyrolysis temperature. Reaction temperature and ash content both have a strong influences on char yield, whereas gas yields were mostly affected by the reaction temperature.