Torrefaction, pyrolysis and two-stage thermodegradation of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin

[Display omitted] •Thermodegradation of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin are studied using Py-GC/MS.•Torrefaction, pyrolysis, and two-stage thermodegradation of three constituents are analyzed.•Furfural production becomes crucial when hemicellulose is torrefied at 250 and 300 °C.•Torrefaction ca...

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Published in:Fuel (Guildford) 2019-12, Vol.258, p.116168, Article 116168
Main Authors: Chen, Wei-Hsin, Wang, Chao-Wen, Ong, Hwai Chyuan, Show, Pau Loke, Hsieh, Tzu-Hsien
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetic acid
Aromatic compounds
Biodegradation
Biofuels
Biomass
Cellulose
Decomposition
Double-shot reaction
Drying
Furfural
Gas chromatography
Hemicellulose
Hemicellulose and xylan
Lignin
Lignin and cellulose
Mass spectrometry
Mass spectroscopy
Organic chemistry
Pentose
Py-GC/MS
Pyrolysis
Structural stability
Thermal degradation
Thermal stability
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
Torrefaction and pyrolysis
Vanillin
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Summary:[Display omitted] •Thermodegradation of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin are studied using Py-GC/MS.•Torrefaction, pyrolysis, and two-stage thermodegradation of three constituents are analyzed.•Furfural production becomes crucial when hemicellulose is torrefied at 250 and 300 °C.•Torrefaction can be applied for vanillin separation from lignin thermodegradation.•Torrefaction at 300 °C has a significant influence on lignin pyrolysis. This study aims to investigate the thermal degradation mechanisms of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin using pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. To characterize the decomposition behaviors, the torrefaction, pyrolysis, and their combination of the three constituents are performed using single-shot and double-shot reactions, with emphasis on the influence of torrefaction upon pyrolysis. The analysis suggests that O-acetyl and pentose units contained in the hemicellulose are thermally degraded into acetic acid and furfural in torrefaction, so acetic acid and furfural contents decrease significantly in the pyrolysis of torrefied hemicellulose. The impact of torrefaction upon cellulose is insignificant, resulting from the high thermal stability of the crystalline structure in the cellulose. When the pyrolysis temperature is higher than 300 °C, the cellulose starts to decompose and form organic volatile products. The products from lignin mild torrefaction at 250 °C are not obvious, except for vanillin. The severe torrefaction at 300 °C has a significant influence on lignin pyrolysis, and the pyrolysis of torrefied lignin results in an increase in aromatic compounds. Overall, the analysis suggests that torrefaction can be applied for biomass pyrolysis to stabilize pyrolysis bio-oil, make its composition more uniform, and separate certain chemicals. Based on the thermal degradation of the three main biomass components from torrefaction, pyrolysis, and their combination analyzed by Py-GC/MS, the obtained findings have provided useful insights into the applications of torrefaction, pyrolysis, and their combination for biofuel production.
ISSN:0016-2361
1873-7153
DOI:10.1016/j.fuel.2019.116168