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Demineralization Pretreatments for Reducing Biomass Variability in Pyrolysis
Carmen Branca1, Colomba Di Blasi2
1Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie per l'Energia e la Mobilità Sostenibili (STEMS), C.N.R., P.le V. Tecchio, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
ACS Omega
|March 4, 2024
Summary
Washing potato stems with hot water or dilute acid significantly alters pyrolysis. This treatment reduces alkali content, increases pyrolysis rates, and shifts the reaction heat from exothermic to nearly neutral or endothermic.
Area of Science:
- Biomass pyrolysis and thermochemical conversion.
- Material science and feedstock characterization.
Background:
- Potato plant stems are a potential lignocellulosic biomass feedstock.
- Understanding biomass pyrolysis is crucial for bioenergy and bio-based chemical production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of washing treatments on the pyrolysis behavior of potato plant stems.
- To analyze changes in pyrolysis rates, heats, and kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and calorimetric analysis were employed.
- Potato stem samples were washed with hot water and dilute hydrochloric acid.
- Pyrolysis parameters were compared to beech wood.
Main Results:
- Washing reduced alkali content, feedstock variability, and char yield.
- Peak pyrolysis rates and temperatures increased, approaching beech wood values.
- Pyrolysis shifted from exothermic to thermally neutral (hot water) or endothermic (dilute acid).
Conclusions:
- Washing potato stems modifies their pyrolysis characteristics, enhancing their suitability as feedstock.
- The treatments promote holocellulose decomposition and alter the overall reaction energetics.
- Acid washing results in a significant shift towards endothermic pyrolysis behavior.
