Step-pyrolysis of biomass using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

To study biomass pyrolysis mechanism step-pyrolysis experiments were carried out to investigate the pyrolysis products distribution in different temperature ranges using pyrolysis-GC/MS. The results show that pyrolysis products are deeply influenced by chemical components of biomass and pyrolysis temperature. The liquid yield of eucalyptus pyrolysis within 25℃~400℃ is less, which were mainly pyrans and aromatics. The dominant pyrolysis product of eucalyptus is 5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one which decreases with increasing temperature. However, high liquid yield and more species are generated in 450℃~500℃ in form of ketones and aromatics. Corn cob has the similar pyrolysis property with eucalyptus. However, its liquid products are mainly furans such as 2,3-dihydro-benzofuran and 4-hydroxyl-3-methylacetophenone in 25℃~350℃, whereas ketones are the main products in 400℃~450℃. Different liquid products are produced from the major chemical components of biomass in different temperature ranges. It is possible to carry out a selective pyrolysis for the major chemical components of biomass to achieve efficiently utilization of biomass resource.