Effects of operational parameters on bio-oil production from biomass

Abstract

In this study, the production of bio-oil from the pyrolysis of furniture sawdust, waste lubricating oil and their mixtures were investigated under certain operating conditions in the presence of lime and zeolites, by using a laboratory scale horizontal tubular reactor placed in a furnace. The main focus was to investigate the mutual effect of lime and commercial zeolite on the amount of the bio-oil production from furniture sawdust and waste lubricating oil. The selected operating parameters were pyrolysis temperatures and heating rate of 300°C and 650°C and flash heating or gradual heating rate (30°C/min). Additionally, three different additives were tested as catalysts; namely, lime (CaO), commercial zeolite (4A) and a natural zeolite (klinoptilolite). The amount of the produced bio-oil was analyzed by gas chromatography–flame ionization detector. The distribution of solid, liquid and gaseous products was determined for each operational condition. It was seen that the amount of the bio-oil was influenced by the amounts of sawdust and zeolite in the mixture. Experimental results showed that higher temperatures were more effective for the higher bio-oil amount. Additionally, heating rate was quite significant at 300°C whereas it has a minor effect on the bio-oil amount at 650°C. The highest bio-oil yield was obtained for the mixture of sawdust and waste lubricating oil in the presence of both lime and commercial zeolite with flash heating rate at 650°C.