Abstract
In recent years, multiple industrial sectors have shown great interest in vegetable residual biomass due to its energy potential. This renewable resource contributes to the diversification of the national energy matrix, promoting sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This study proposes a comprehensive pyrolysis strategy for converting waste plant biomass from oil palm shells and rice husks into biofuels. This can be considered an alternative for renewable energy sources and energy security in Colombia. Pyrolysis tests were conducted in a tubular reactor at temperatures ranging from 600 to 900 °C, with a controlled heating rate of 50 °C/min and a nitrogen flow rate of 60 ml/min. The two plant biomass residues and the pyrolysis process products were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), and gas chromatography (GC). The thermogravimetric analysis results confirm that the selected reaction temperature above 600 °C is sufficient to promote the decomposition and volatilization of the components. However, the mass loss ranges depend on the chemical nature of the plant biomass. The infrared spectral information confirms the presence of aromatic, aliphatic, and oxygenated compounds, which are associated with lignocellulosic compounds. Gas chromatography results confirm that the content of hydrocarbons (C1-C4+) and hydrogen (H2) ranges from 19.6 to 18.1% and from 19.9 to 21.8% molar, respectively. Based on the gas composition at 600 and 750 °C, an energy efficiency with an average calorific value of 54.1 and 55.9 MJ-kg-1 was observed. Furthermore, calculations indicate that the electrical energy potential was approximately 4000 kWh per ton. Therefore, these values ??represent a significant contribution to the Colombian energy sector.
