article · BioResources
Pyrolysis of Napier grass stem in a fixed bed reactor demonstrates its potential as a renewable energy source when all resulting fractions are utilised. Testing varying nitrogen flow rates and reaction temperatures revealed that a nitrogen flow of 30 mL/min yields the optimal quantity of bio-oil. Increasing the reactor temperature from 450 to 600 °C raised the bio-oil yield to a maximum of 32.26 weight percent, while reducing the output of bio-char and non-condensable gas. Raising the temperature further to 650 °C reduced bio-oil and bio-char production, shifting yields toward non-condensable gases. Higher temperatures lowered the bio-oil water content but increased its density and viscosity. The resulting bio-oil showed higher heating values between 25.25 and 28.88 MJ/kg and an acidic pH ranging from 2.43 to 2.97. Chemical analysis identified highly oxygenated compounds in the liquid, indicating that upgrading is necessary prior to practical fuel use.
Converting agricultural biomass such as Napier grass into energy provides an alternative pathway for generating renewable fuels and materials. Establishing precise thermal and flow conditions allows operators to maximise liquid fuel yields and assess the energy content of the outputs. Understanding the physical and chemical limitations of the raw bio-oil, such as high oxygen content and acidity, is crucial for developing appropriate downstream processing strategies.
This work is early-stage experimental research exploring thermochemical conversion parameters for bio-oil, bio-char, and gas production. Potential users include biofuel processors and renewable energy developers looking to valorise agricultural biomass feedstocks. However, because the raw bio-oil has high acidity and oxygen content requiring catalytic or chemical upgrading, significant further development and refining are necessary before the outputs can be integrated into commercial fuel supply chains.
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This study presents a report on pyrolysis of Napier grass stem in a fixed bed reactor. The effects of nitrogen flow (20 to 60 mL/min), and reaction temperature (450 to 650 °C) were investigated. Increasing the nitrogen flow from 20 to 30 mL/min increased the bio-oil yield and decreased both bio-char and non-condensable gas. 30 mL/min nitrogen flow resulted in optimum bio-oil yield and was used in the subsequent experiments. Reaction temperatures between 450 and 600 °C increased the bio-oil yield, with maximum yield of 32.26 wt% at 600 oC and a decrease in the corresponding bio-char and non-condensable gas. At 650 °C, reductions in the bio-oil and bio-char yields were recorded while the non-condensable gas increased. Water content of the bio-oil decreased with increasing reaction temperature, while density and viscosity increased. The observed pH and higher heating values were between 2.43 to 2.97, and 25.25 to 28.88 MJ/kg, respectively. GC-MS analysis revealed that the oil was made up of highly oxygenated compounds and requires upgrading. The bio-char and non-condensable gas were characterized, and the effect of reaction temperature on the properties was evaluated. Napier grass represents a good source of renewable energy when all pyrolysis products are efficiently utilized.
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DOI: 10.15376/biores.10.4.6457-6478
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