Experiences of pilot scale cyclone pyrolysis

• Fast pyrolysis is a promising thermochemical technology for converting biomass to energy, chemicals, and fuels. At RISE ETC, an industrially relevant pyrolysis pilot plant has been designed, constructed, and operated since 2011. The pilot plant is based on an externally heated cyclone reactor where both the pyrolysis reaction and the separation of products take place. The reactor design has shown to be beneficial since it produces oil with relatively low concentrations of inorganics. Pyrolysis of different Nordic biomasses, both forestry and agricultural, have been studied using the pilot plant and the results indicate that it is especially suitable for low grade fuels. The oil is collected in two separate steps, and the received two oil fractions have different chemical and physical properties, which opens up the possibility to use selected fractions in targeted applications. Oil fractionation has also been studied further in a separate fractional condensation system and the results show that it is possible to separate larger energy-rich lignin-derived material; medium-sized; and light water soluble compounds already in the oil collection step. The pilot plant has worked as a platform for pyrolysis research and for building up competence in the pyrolysis area. 

Nyckelord

Biomass

Fast pyrolysis

Pilot plant

Pyrolysis oil

Thermochemical conversion

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