Biomass torrefaction/microwave catalytic pyrolysis in a pilot scale fluidized bed reactor

• Grant number: 18/05709-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: August 01, 2019
• End date: March 26, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Forest Biomass Energy
• Principal Investigator: Leandro Cardoso de Morais
• Grantee: Leandro Cardoso de Morais
• Host Investigator: Xiaotao Bi
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Sorocaba. Sorocaba , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of British Columbia, Vancouver (UBC), Canada

Abstract

Studies with biomass as a renewable source of energy have been increasing in recent years, because biomass as well as being less polluting than a fossil fuel is becoming an economically viable. Currently, some countries find it difficult to generate enough energy for distribution throughout the country, causing a significant socioeconomic impact. To overcome this obstacle, the present project aims to increase the energy efficiency of biomass in a pilot scale microwave fluidized bed reactor (PFBR). The samples of biomass will be torrefied at 230°C, 250°C, 280°C and pyrolysed at 400°C in a microwave-assisted catalytic process. The torrefied and pyrolysis products will be characterized in terms of kinetic studies, elementary (CHN) analysis, higher heating value (HHV), and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM).