Biomass pyrolysis in a twin-screw reactor to produce green fuels

ABSTRACT

This paper highlights work done with a twin-screw reactor or auger reactor, with temperature profiles of near 500 °C, and sawdust and bagasse biomass. Analysis of the solid biofuel, i.e. biochar, is given, along with proximate and ultimate analysis of biomass feedstocks. System limitations are profiled and issues related to bio-oil production are addressed. Design changes in the existing system are suggested, using SOLIDWORKS software to optimize the existing design where this experimentation has been done. It is believed the design changes would make the facility more efficient. Nitrogen gas is used to maintain the velocity profile of the biomass particles inside the reactor. This work does not have the food vs fodder conflict as the biomass feeds used are primarily wood wastes and sugar industry by-products.

KEYWORDS:

• Pyrolysis
• screw reactors
• bio-oil
• bagasse
• sawdust

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.