Troiano M., Migliaccio R., Cammarota A., Ruoppolo G., Urciuolo M., Solimene R., Salatino P., 2026, The Effect of Char Loading on Biomass Fluidized Bed Pyrolysis, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 125, 295-300.
This study deals with fast pyrolysis of giant reed Arundo Donax in a bench scale fluidized bed apparatus. The effect of organic carbon loading onto the pyrolysis process was investigated, as it affects products yield and composition. Steady state pyrolysis experiments have been carried out at 500°C, at fixed gas superficial velocity and solids residence time. The carbon inventory in the bed has been controlled by means of a system that allows partial discharge/charge of solids from the bed, during continuous biomass feeding. Products yield, oil and gas composition have been characterized for different carbon inventories. Semi-quantitative analysis of bio-oil composition has been obtained by GC-MS technique, while gases have been analyzed with micro-GC. Results highlight that organic carbon loading does affect secondary decomposition pathways. Increasing the carbon loading, phenols increase, while ketones and organic acids decrease, together with an increase of CO, H2 and CH4. Results confirm that a proper control of char loading during fast pyrolysis is crucial to maximize yield and selectivity in desired chemical compounds.
