Pyrolysis of Firwood (Abies bornmülleriana Mattf.) Sawdust: Characterization of Bio-Oil and Bio-Char

Abstract

This paper describes the research of slow pyrolysis of firewood (Abies bornmülleriana Mattf.) sawdust by using fixed-bed reactor. The effect of temperature ranging between 350 and 600 °C on gas, liquid and solid products was examined. The maximum bio-oil yield of 45.9% was obtained at the final pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C. The elemental analysis and heating value of bio-oil and bio-char were determined, and then the chemical composition of the bio-oil was investigated using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques such as Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR). The liquid product was mainly composed of phenolics, including 2-methoxy-phenol, 2-methyl-phenol, phenol, as well as aldeyhdes, acids, esters, alcohols and ketones. The chemical characterization has shown that the bio-oil obtained from residues of forestry production, such as firewood sawdust, can be used as an environmental feedstock, which is an ideal candidate for alternative fuels. Moreover the bio-char can be used as an energy source and active carbon.