Improving the Efficiency of Pyrolysis and Increasing the Quality of Gas Production through Optimization of Prototype Systems

Abstract

Pyrolysis is a thermochemical process that consists of the degradation of organic polymers and biomass minerals in lignocellulose materials. At low pyrolysis temperature (300–400 °C), primarily carbon is produced during the reaction time. Rapid pyrolysis takes place at temperatures between 500 and 650 °C. If the temperature is higher than 700 °C, the final product is methane, also known as biogas. The pyrolysis generator can be combined with a small power plant (CHP), which is a promising technology because the unit can be installed directly near the biomass production, and electricity can be fed de-centrally to the public utility network, while there are several possibilities for using waste heat in local systems. Carbonaceous ash can be utilized well in the agricultural field, because, in areas with intensive farming, the soil suffers from carbon and mineral deficiencies, and the phenomenon of material defect can be reduced by a proper level of implementation. This study describes the technical content of the biochar pilot project, and then, through a detailed presentation of the experimental results, we interpret the new scientific results. Our aim is to improve the quality of the produced gas by increasing the efficiency of the pyrolysis generator. In order for the pyrolysis unit to operate continuously, with proper efficiency and good gas quality, it is necessary to optimize the operation process. Our review reveals that the use of vibration may be advantageous during pyrolysis, which affects the mass of the pyrolysis carbon in a plane. Accordingly, the application of vibration to the input section of the funnel might enhance the quality of the gas, as well. The study concludes that more accurate dimensioning of the main parts of the gas reactor and a more convenient design of the oxidation and reduction zones enhance the good-quality gas output.