Solar pyrolysis of carbonaceous feedstocks: A review

•Differences between solar and classical pyrolysis are emphasized.•It is shown how operation conditions govern the product distributions.•Main experimental data obtained during last 40years are reported.•Modeling approaches are described and discussed.•Values of upgrading factor are presented. Solar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy 2017-11, Vol.156, p.73-92
Main Authors: Zeng, Kuo, Gauthier, Daniel, Soria, José, Mazza, Germán, Flamant, Gilles
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Calorific value
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide emissions
Carbonaceous feedstock
Chemical and Process Engineering
Computer simulation
Engineering Sciences
Flammability
Indoor environments
Low temperature
Mine wastes
Natural gas
Oil and gas exploration
Oil and gas production
Process heat
Pyrolysis
Raw materials
Solar energy
Solar fuels
Solar simulators
Temperature effects
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Summary:•Differences between solar and classical pyrolysis are emphasized.•It is shown how operation conditions govern the product distributions.•Main experimental data obtained during last 40years are reported.•Modeling approaches are described and discussed.•Values of upgrading factor are presented. Solar pyrolysis of a carbonaceous feedstock (coal, biomass and wastes) is a process in which carbon-containing feedstocks are used as chemical reactants and solar energy is supplied as high-temperature process heat. This process has the potential to produce higher calorific value products with lower CO2 emissions than conventional pyrolysis processes. As a consequence, the intermittent solar energy is chemically stored in the form of solar fuels. Solar pyrolysis was first demonstrated in an indoor environment using a solar simulator (image furnace) for exploring the fundamental mechanisms of carbonaceous feedstock pyrolysis under severe radiative conditions (high temperatures and heating rates) in comparison to conventional pyrolysis. More recently, low-temperature solar pyrolysis has been demonstrated to be a good technology for bio-oil production. Our high-temperature solar pyrolysis process produces more combustible gas products than other processes. This paper reviews developments in the field of solar pyrolysis processing by considering fundamental mechanisms, experimental demonstrations, models and challenges.
ISSN:0038-092X
1471-1257
DOI:10.1016/j.solener.2017.05.033