Fast pyrolysis processing of surfactant washed Miscanthus

• Published in: Fuel processing technology Vol. 128; pp. 94 - 103
• Main Authors: Banks, S.W., Nowakowski, D.J., Bridgwater, A.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.12.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Accelerated tests; Applied sciences; Ash; Bio-oil stability; Biomass; Biomass pre-treatment; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fast pyrolysis; Mathematical analysis; Miscanthus; Moisture content; Natural energy; Pyrolysis; Reactors; Surfactants; Triton; Viscosity; Miscanthus; Bio-oil stability; Biomass pre-treatment; Fast pyrolysis; Ash; Fluidized bed reactor; Monocotyledones; Demineralization; Stability; Non ionic surfactant; Surfactant polymer; Flash pyrolysis; Biofuel; Washing; Biomass; Gramineae; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Dynamic viscosity; Pretreatment; Degradation product; Rheological properties
• ISSN: 0378-3820; 1873-7188
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2014.07.005

Miscanthus×giganteus was subjected to pre-treatment with deionised water, hydrochloric acid or Triton X-100 surfactant, and subsequently fast pyrolysed in a fluidised bed reactor at 535°C to obtain bio-oil. Triton X-100 surfactant was identified as a promising pre-treatment medium for removal of inorganic matter because its physicochemical nature was expected to mobilise inorganic matter in the biomass matrix. The influence of different concentrations of Triton X-100 pre-treatment solutions on the quality of bio-oil produced from fast pyrolysis was studied, as defined by a single phase bio-oil, viscosity index and water content index. The highest concentration of Triton X-100 surfactant produced the best quality bio-oil with high organic yield and low reaction water content. The calculated viscosity index from the accelerated ageing test showed that bio-oil stability improved as the concentration of Triton X-100 increased. •Increased concentration of surfactant reduces the inorganic content in biomass.•The yield of organic compounds increased when surfactant pre-treatment was used.•Bio-oil from surfactant pre-treatment features reduced reaction water content.•Triton X-100 pre-treatment improves stability of fast pyrolysis liquids.