Energy Applications of Biomass: Pyrolysis of Apricot Stone

Apricot stone (Prunus armeniaca L.) was pyrolyzed in a directly heated fixed-bed reactor under nitrogen atmosphere. Effects of sweeping gas flow rates and pyrolysis temperature on the pyrolysis of the biomass were also studied. Pyrolysis runs were performed using reactor temperatures between 400°C and 700°C with heating rate of about 300°C min⁻¹. As the pyrolysis temperature was increased, the percentage mass of char decreased while gas product increased. The product yields were significantly influenced by the process conditions. The bio-oil obtained at 550°C, at which the liquid product yield was maximum, was analyzed. It was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). In addition, the solid and liquid products were analyzed to determine their elemental composition and calorific value. Chemical fractionation of bio-oil showed that only low quantities of hydrocarbons were present, while oxygenated and polar fractions dominated.

Keywords:

• biomass
• apricot stone pyrolysis
• fixed-bed reactor
• bio-oil
• energy

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank BİIBAM (Plant, Medicine and Scientific Research Centre) for FT-IR analysis of bio-oil.

Notes

^a By difference.

^a Obtained with a heating rate of 300°C min⁻¹ and particle size 0.425 < Dp < 0.6 mm.

^a Obtained at a pyrolysis temperature of 550°C; sweeping gas flow rate of 100 mL min⁻¹, heating rate of 300°C min⁻¹.

^a Obtained at a pyrolysis temperature of 550°C, heating rate of 300°C min⁻¹, nitrogen flow rate of 100 mL min⁻¹, particle size of 0.425 < Dp < 0.6 mm.

^b By difference.