Application of fast pyrolysis for the treatment of biomass materials

ROXANA V. PILONI; INÉS C. DAGA; R. CARLOS URCELAY; ELIZABETH L. MOYANO

Villa Carlos Paz, Córdoba

Congreso; XIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Físico-Química Orgánica (CLAFQO); 2015

Pyrolysis involves the transformation of organic matter caused by heating to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. It implicates the simultaneous change of chemical composition and physical phase. In general, pyrolysis of organic substances leads to three types of products: non-condensable gases, liquid and a solid residue richer in carbon content. In fast pyrolysis, the transformation occurs in a time of few seconds or less, leading to a minor degradation of the material, and obtaining a higher proportion of liquid and solid products. In our investigation group the fast pyrolysis methodology was used for the synthesis of heterocyclic organic compound and mechanistic reactions studies.1 But in the past decades, pyrolysis gained importance in the treatment of residues and energetic crops for obtaining a liquid with bio-fuel properties or high added value compounds. The main purpose of this work was the application of the fast pyrolysis technique for the treatment of two types of algal biomass: Pithophora sp.(PS), regional algae from Córdoba rivers, and Arthrospira platensis (AP), algae used as biofuel source and also as commercial diet supplement. After optimization of all parameters and reaction conditions, the results indicated that the product distribution of the bio-liquid for both algae was very different from each other. For PS main products were solketal, which is an important gasoline additive for increasing the octane number, and phenol derivatives. On the other hand, AP?s mayor products were 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-one (TMP), N,N-diisopropylprop-2-en-1-amine (DIPA) and phenol. The product distribution was also dependent on the temperature thus; a higher production of bio-liquid was obtaining for both algae at 500 °C. Besides the bio-liquid, a black solid residue, which is known to have high carbon content, was obtained. The composition of this solid material also depends on the temperature, giving loss of the black color with the pyrolysis temperature. In conclusion, it was able to apply fast pyrolysis as an alternative technique to treat biomass wastes as algae. In the bio-liquid was found some high added value compounds, such as solketal, known for his antibacterial properties2 and as biodiesel fuel additive3, and TMP, precursor used for the synthesis of hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) used in the polymer industry4.