Up-scaling a prototype top-lit up-draft pyrolysis (TLUD-Pyro) reactor

Publication Type

Poster

Authors

Latif, S; Intani, K; Müller, J

Year of publication

2017

Published in

Books of Abstracts

Page (from - to)

98

Conference name

25th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition

Conference location

Stockholm, Schweden

Conference date

12-15 June, 2017

Keywords

Biochar, gasifier, maize, Self-purging, Slow-pyrolysis

Most of the developing countries still rely on traditional use of biomass for their energy needs. In this context, micro-gasification is a better technology than direct combustion, since it can achieve higher fuel efficiency and lower emission. Pyrolysis is among the most developed and studied conversion technologies. One of the disadvantages of pyrolysis process is that it needs external energy to initiate the process. However, the existing pyrolysis systems can be designed to be self-sustaining. A combined pyrolysis/gasification technology could be an option for self-sustained biomass conversion system, which obtains high-value products from crop residues. Crop residues are abundant and can be used as feedstock for thermochemical biomass conversion. In this study, a mobile top-lit up-draft pyrolysis (TLUD-Pyro) reactor was designed and constructed with ST 1.4301 stainless steel. The energy for pyrolysis reactor was provided by the top-lit up-draft gasifier (TLUD) using whole maize cobs as feedstock. Pyrolysis process was performed using ground cobs in the Pyro reactor without using a purging gas. The objective was to upscale the TLUD-Pyro reactor and evaluate its performance. Temperatures in TLUD gasifier were maintained at ≥ 300 °C for 55 min. The gasifier provided sufficient heat up to 892 °C for the pyrolysis reactor. Except from the heat, the main products obtained from the TLUD were biochar and ash. The pyrolysis products including biochar, condensates and pyrolysis gas were obtained from the Pyro reactor. The findings of this study indicated that the mobile TLUD-Pyro reactor has a potential to provide energy and valuable products from crop residues.