Co-pyrolysis of macroalgae and lignocellulosic biomass Synergistic effect, optimization studies, modeling, and simulation of effects of co-pyrolysis parameters on yields

• Published in: Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry Vol. 136; no. 5; pp. 2001 - 2016
• Main Authors: Uzoejinwa, Benjamin Bernard, He, Xiuhua, Wang, Shuang, Abomohra, Abd El-Fatah, Hu, Yamin, He, Zhixia, Wang, Qian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 15.06.2019
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Inorganic Chemistry; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Co-pyrolysis; Synergistic effect; Lignocellulosic biomass; Increased/enhanced products’ yields; Macroalgae
• ISSN: 1388-6150; 1588-2926
• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-018-7834-2

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.