Microwave Pyrolysis
Microwave Pyrolysis
Microwave Pyrolysis
Conversion
Roger Ruan, Paul Chen, Fei Yu, Kevin Hennessy, Yuanhua Wang,
Jianping Wu, Alf Tunheim
Center for Biorefining
Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering
University of Minnesota
Biomass Conversion
Direct use of conversion products
Heat and Power
Bioethanol
Syngas
Bio-oil
First step in utilization of biomass
Forupgrading
Feedstock for other processes
Challenges faced by large
processing facilities
Initial Capital Investment
Technicality
Auxiliary Equipment/Facility
Feedstock Transport
Biomass
Bulk Biomass Refining
Fractionation
& Conversion
Bale to Barrel
As fertilizer back to field for biomass production
2,250,000BTU
Conversion
1,500,000BTU
4.5 kW power
computer central
controlled process
10 kg/h through-put
various input
materials
Pyrolysis Chamber
air tight hopper system w. 1
m3 capacity
horisontal-, cyclindrical
reaction chamber
w. auger transport system
microwave inlets x 3
ventilation/under-pressure
vapour outlet
dry fraction outet/collection
w. heating
inert gas lines
temperature measurement
Microwave Generators
1.5 kW magnetrons x
3
reflection indicator
(selectable)
tuning device x3
inert gas inlets CO2,
h2
vertical microwave
guides ca. 5m ↕
Condensing Column & Liquid Collection
5 fraction distililation
column
2 x gas scrubbers
Collection tank for
distillate
w. Heating element
Dry gas flare
Logging Capabilities
as functions of time
Feedstock
Temperature [ºC]
Reaction
Vapourtemp. [ºC]
Condensing temp. [ºC] x 5 pt.
Power
Emitted and reflected
Laboratory MWP Reactor
Batch operation
1-2 l input material
capacity
near limitless input
materials capability
≤ 1200 ºC
in-time gas sampling and
analysis (06.07)
Insured safe working
environment (microwave,
gas leakage)
Reaction Chamber
CEM - Max
1.5 kW magnetron
≤ 1200 ºC
programmable (start,
running, cool-down)
Aluminum oxide furnace
chamber
silica-carbide arch
built-in scale (± 0.1 g)
thermocouple
computer terminal
connections
Condensing Column & Liquid
Collection
2 x tube-in-tube heat
exchangers
Stage 1 - air cooling
Stage 2 - water cooling
Liquid sample collection
Scale
Thermocouple
Vapour inlet
Gas outlet (to FTIR)
Logging Capabilities
as functions of time
Feedstock
Weight loss [g & %] (± 0.1 g)
Temperature [ºC]
Reaction
Vapour temp. [ºC]
Condensing temp. [ºC] x 2 pt.
Liquid
Weight increase [g] (± 0.1g)
Gas
Planned; volume flow [l/s]
Objectives
To understand and optimize the processes
To explore product possibilities
To develop pilot scale continuous
processes and equipment
Work accomplished
Experiments to investigate product yields and
properties under different conditions
Testing different feedstock
Burning and engine testing of bio-oils
Development of bio-polymers from bio-oils
Development of continuous microwave pyrolysis
and hydrothermal pyrolysis systems
Microwave-Assisted Biomass Pyrolysis System
(UMN Generation II)
Microwave Pyrolysis
1500
200w
300w
600w
Temperature (°C )
1000 900w
500
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time (min)
300W 1000W
Yield (%)
A
Yield (%)
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20 25
Time (min) Time (min)
16 6
D
Yield (%)
12
Yield (%)
B 4
8
2
4
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20 25
Time (min) Time (min)
Analysis Method
pH pH meter
Water, wt% ASTM D 1744, Karl-Fischer titration
Minerals, ppm ICP
Viscosity (20 ° C), mPa ∙ s ASTM D 445, Rotational viscometer
Ash, wt% EN 7
Elemental composition, wt% Elemental analyzer
Heating value, MJ/kg DIN 51900, Bomb calorimeter
Physicochemical properties of bio-oils
Properties Value
pH 2.87
Moisture , wt% 15.2
Density , g/ml 1.25
Dynamic viscosity at, mPa ∙ s
20°C 1270
40°C 185
60°C 60
80°C 34
Gross heating value (HHV), MJ/ kg 17.51
Elemental composition, wt%
Carbon 60.66
Hydrogen 7.70
Nitrogen 2.02
Sulphur 0.15
Minerals of Bio-oils by Inductive
Coupled Plasma (ICP) Analysis
Mineral Al B Ca Cd Cr Cu Fe K
Content (ppm) 4.922 2.848 6.833 0.059 0.307 0.397 7.589 3.127
Mineral Mg Mn Na Ni P Pb Zn
Bioadhesives
Biopolyesters
Biopolyurathane
Compressed materials
Biochemicals
Sample Bioproducts Produced from Biooils
Polyester + DGG
Composite Polyester + fibers
Polyester film Composite
Polyurethane foam
Wood Adhesive
Bio-oils
Test of Polyurethane Foams
Generation II Continuous Equipment
Development
Continuous process
Larger capacity
Closed-system: gas turbine for electricity
generation
Two-state processes: pyrolysis and
gasification
Completion: estimated in July or August
Schematic Diagram of the Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis System under Design
Continuous Hydrothermal Biomass Pyrolysis System