Co-pyrolysis of biomass with waste tyres: Upgrading of liquid bio-fuel

• Published in: Fuel processing technology Vol. 119; pp. 263 - 271
• Main Authors: Martínez, Juan D., Veses, Alberto, Mastral, Ana M., Murillo, Ramón, Navarro, Maria V., Puy, Neus, Artigues, Anna, Bartrolí, Jordi, García, Tomás
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier 01.03.2014
• Subjects: acidity; aldehydes; Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Augers; Biofuel production; biofuels; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Biotechnology; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; feedstocks; Fuels; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Liquids; Miscellaneous; oxygen; phenolic compounds; Pyrolysis; Reactors; Tires; Tyres; Wastes; Tyre; Scrap rubber; Pyrolysis; Liquid fuel; Upgrading; Bio-oil; Flash pyrolysis; Biofuel; Biomass; Degradation product; Waste tyre; Pilot plant scale
• ISSN: 0378-3820
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2013.11.015

Co-pyrolysis of forestry wastes and waste tyres is carried out using different facilities: a fixed bed reactor and a continuous auger reactor. Remarkably, only one phase is found in the liquid fraction, which is not achieved by mixture of the pure liquids. In addition, positive effects between waste tyre and biomass are evidenced, being more notable even synergetic in the auger reactor. It is found that whilst acidity, density and oxygen content decrease, pH and calorific value increase with respect to the merely biomass pyrolysis liquid, leading to upgraded bio-oil. Upgrading process is linked to the presence of radical interactions between waste tyres and biomass pyrolysis products. In addition, it is observed that the addition of waste tyres to the feedstock blend is significantly decreasing the amount of aldehydes and phenolic compounds, which is beneficial for improving the stability of the new bio-oils.