Effects of potassium on pyrolysis characteristics of pine

Pine loaded K₂CO₃ were pyrolysed by tubular furnace. The experiment of pyrolysis vapor of pine passed through sand mixed with K₂CO₃ or char added K₂CO₃ were also performed to simulated the effects of potassium on vapor. The results indicated that K could catalyze pyrolysis process, increase the char yields and decrease CO yields markedly. K could increase the gas yield in low temperature while decrease it in higher temperature. The pyrolysis vapor could decompose when pass through K, which lead to lower liquid yield and higher CO, CO₂, H₂ yield. Char of pine also could catalyze tar cracking, increase H₂, CO₂ and decrease CO, CH₄, C₂ yields in gas. Char added K was favor to the cracking of tar and the reaction between gas and char. Effects of potassium on biomass pyrolysis characteristics was achieved by catalyzing the primary pyrolysis and the reaction of the pyrolysis vapor.