Title:
Catalytic Effect of Potassium Carbonate on Condensable Species Released During Wood Torrefaction
Author(s):
Alves de Macedo, L., Commandré, J.M., Rousset, P., Valette, J., Pétrissans, M.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
In order to investigate the effect of potassium addition on the composition of torrefaction condensates, two demineralized wood species were impregnated with different concentrations of K2CO3 and then torrefied at 275°C up to an anhydrous weight loss (AWL) of 25%. Torrefaction was carried out in both a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) instrument and a laboratory fixed-bed reactor. Condensates from the fixed bed reactor were collected and analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). TGA showed that when potassium content increased in the biomass, shorter torrefaction times were sufficient to obtain the targeted AWL. GC-MS analysis showed, for both wood species, that potassium promotes the formation of acetol and slightly enhances acetic acid yield. The amount of some lignin derivatives (guaiacol, syringol, 4-vinylguaiacol) also rose with potassium addition. Yields of levoglucosan, LAC (1-hydroxy-(1R)-3,6-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-2-one) and DGP (1,4:3,6-dianhydro-a-d-glucopyranose), as well as furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, decreased drastically in the presence of potassium.
Keywords:
alkali, biochemicals, catalytic conversion, torrefaction
Topic:
Biomass Conversion Technologies for Liquid and Gaseous Fuels, Chemicals and Materials
Subtopic:
Production of thermally treated solid biofuels
Event:
25th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
3DO.3.2
Pages:
1056 - 1062
ISBN:
978-88-89407-17-2
Paper DOI:
10.5071/25thEUBCE2017-3DO.3.2
Price:
FREE
