Effect of temperature and heating rate on the char yield in sorghum and straw slow pyrolysis

Abstract

Different approach to valorise the sweet sorghum using pyrolysis process to obtain valuable resources for energy production: bio-char, bio-oil and syngas are presented in the paper. In this study the influence of process parameters of slow pyrolysis on sorghum and straw were analysed. Temperatures used in the process varied from 400 to 800°C and heating rate parameter varied from 10°C. min-1 to 65°C. min-1. The experiments were conducted using a lab scale slow pyrolysis reactor with electric heaters, equipped with a thermo balance analyzer to collect data of pyrolysis process. The achieved product yield can vary significantly according to the slow pyrolysis parameters. The temperature influenced more on the bio-char yield compared to the heating rate parameter. The highest bio-char yield (over 35% weight,) was obtained at 400°C and heating rate of 10°C. min-1.