Production and characterization of bio-chars from biomass via pyrolysis

This article deals with slow pyrolysis of oak wood and agricultural residues such as hazelnut shell and wheat straw at high temperature (950-1250 K) in a cylindrical reactor. The aim of this work is to study the effect of the treatment conditions such as temperature, particle size, and lignin and inorganic matter contents on bio-char yield and reactivity. When the pyrolysis temperature increased, the bio-char yield decreased. A high temperature and smaller particles increase the heating rate resulting in a decreased bio-char yield. The higher lignin content in hazelnut shell results in a higher bio-char yield in comparison with oak wood and wheat straw. Bio-chars from hazelnut shell and wheat straw are more reactive in gasification than bio-chars from oak wood because of the higher ash content. The bio-char obtained are carbon rich, with high heating value and relatively pollution-free potential solid biofuel.