Pyrolysis - Revision history

Jb: /* Combustion */

2023-03-16T16:46:41Z

Combustion

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:46, 16 March 2023
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	*Good for heat		*Good for heat

	Biomass is fired and allowed to breathe, producing gases to be burned up ~~as biomass ashes~~, thus driving the continuation of the process. Reactors relying on combustion are primarily designed for generating heat, commonly used for a combination of steam turbine electrical generation and secondary heat uses such as curing lumber or drying grain.		Biomass is fired and allowed to breathe, producing gases to be burned up, thus driving the continuation of the process. Reactors relying on combustion are primarily designed for generating heat, commonly used for a combination of steam turbine electrical generation and secondary heat uses such as curing lumber or drying grain.

	Though the word combustion seems antithetical to the production of ~~biochar~~, it is ironically combustion -- that ordinary, everyday technology -- that is perhaps responsible for a majority of biochar produced on [[Mother Earth]]. The key is that ~~not all~~ combustion technologies ~~result~~ in 100% complete combustion ~~(yielding~~ ash as ~~the sole~~ solid product~~); indeed, combustion technologies are imperfect~~. When oxygen is present, but insufficient for complete combustion, biochar ~~can be pulled out of the system~~. Combustion for a boiler will generally yield 1.5-2% biochar.		Though the word combustion seems antithetical to the production of biofuel, it is ironically combustion -- that ordinary, everyday technology -- that is perhaps responsible for a majority of biochar produced on [[Mother Earth]] (biogas as well, although it is expended immediately to sustain the combustion). The key is that combustion technologies are in this sense imperfect; they hardly ever manage 100% complete combustion, which would theoretically yield ash as its only solid product. When oxygen is present, but insufficient for complete combustion, biochar remains. Combustion for a boiler will generally yield 1.5-2% biochar.

	=Product=		=Product=

Jb: /* Gas */

2023-03-16T16:40:19Z

Gas

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:40, 16 March 2023
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	==Oil==		==Oil==
	==Gas==		==Gas==
			[[biogas]]

	=Sources=		=Sources=

Jb: /* Char */

2023-03-16T16:39:41Z

Char

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:39, 16 March 2023
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	==Char==		==Char==
			[[biochar]]

	==Oil==		==Oil==
	==Gas==		==Gas==
	=Sources=		=Sources=

Jb: /* Process */

2023-03-16T16:39:10Z

Process

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:39, 16 March 2023
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	[[File:Biochar process breakdown.png\|thumb\|Yield ratios of primary processes ("Slow" and "Fast" refer to forms of [[pyrolysis]]).<ref>"Chapter 11: Biochar Production" in Amonette, J.E. et al. 2021</ref> ]]		[[File:Biochar process breakdown.png\|thumb\|Yield ratios of primary processes ("Slow" and "Fast" refer to forms of [[pyrolysis]]).<ref>"Chapter 11: Biochar Production" in Amonette, J.E. et al. 2021</ref> ]]

	To ~~transform~~ feedstocks ~~into biochar~~, in any form, involves a lot of heat with limited exposure to oxygen.		To pyrolize feedstocks, in any form, involves a lot of heat with limited exposure to oxygen.

	Fire will reduce biomass to ash in the presence of oxygen. Deprived of air, however, the thermal decomposition process separates biomass into gases, liquids, oxygenated compounds (e.g., methanol), and solid (biochar). The ratio between these components, given a particular feedstock, will depend on the conditions of its heating. Generally speaking, lower and slower burns will yield more char, while hotter or shorter processes yield oils and gases potentially useful as [[biofuel]].		Fire will reduce biomass to ash in the presence of oxygen. Deprived of air, however, the thermal decomposition process separates biomass into gases, liquids, oxygenated compounds (e.g., methanol), and solid (biochar). The ratio between these components, given a particular feedstock, will depend on the conditions of its heating. Generally speaking, lower and slower burns will yield more char, while hotter or shorter processes yield oils and gases potentially useful as [[biofuel]].

Jb: /* Torrefaction */

2023-03-15T21:23:08Z

Torrefaction

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:23, 15 March 2023
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	*Good for biocoal		*Good for biocoal

	Torrefaction is also called mild pyrolysis, as it still involves heating biomass in an "inert" or oxygen-deficit environment, but only to a maximum temperature of 300°C. The biomass will evaporate both its water content and some volatile organic compounds. This process yields a uniform product of lower moisture, and higher energy content, than raw biomass. It is also easier to grind due to its brittle quality. <ref>~~AUTHOR=~~Tumuluru, Ghiasi, Soelberg and Sokhansanj. "Biomass Torrefaction Process, Product Properties, Reactor Types, and Moving Bed Reactor Design Concepts"''Frontiers in Energy Research'' Vol. 9 (2021) https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2021.728140</ref>		Torrefaction is also called mild pyrolysis, as it still involves heating biomass in an "inert" or oxygen-deficit environment, but only to a maximum temperature of 300°C. The biomass will evaporate both its water content and some volatile organic compounds. This process yields a uniform product of lower moisture, and higher energy content, than raw biomass. It is also easier to grind due to its brittle quality. <ref>Tumuluru, Ghiasi, Soelberg and Sokhansanj. "Biomass Torrefaction Process, Product Properties, Reactor Types, and Moving Bed Reactor Design Concepts"''Frontiers in Energy Research'' Vol. 9 (2021) https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2021.728140</ref>

	==Slow Pyrolysis==		==Slow Pyrolysis==

Jb at 21:22, 15 March 2023

2023-03-15T21:22:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:22, 15 March 2023
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	*Good for biocoal		*Good for biocoal

	Torrefaction is also called mild pyrolysis, as it still involves heating biomass in an "inert" or oxygen-deficit environment, but only to a maximum temperature of 300°C. The biomass will evaporate both its water content and some volatile organic compounds. This process yields a uniform product of lower moisture, and higher energy content, than raw biomass. It is also easier to grind due to its brittle quality. <ref>https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2021.728140</ref>		Torrefaction is also called mild pyrolysis, as it still involves heating biomass in an "inert" or oxygen-deficit environment, but only to a maximum temperature of 300°C. The biomass will evaporate both its water content and some volatile organic compounds. This process yields a uniform product of lower moisture, and higher energy content, than raw biomass. It is also easier to grind due to its brittle quality. <ref>AUTHOR=Tumuluru, Ghiasi, Soelberg and Sokhansanj. "Biomass Torrefaction Process, Product Properties, Reactor Types, and Moving Bed Reactor Design Concepts"''Frontiers in Energy Research'' Vol. 9 (2021) https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2021.728140</ref>

	==Slow Pyrolysis==		==Slow Pyrolysis==
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	==Oil==		==Oil==
	==Gas==		==Gas==
			=Sources=

Jb: /* Process */

2023-03-15T21:18:43Z

Process

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:18, 15 March 2023
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	=Process=		=Process=
	[[File:Biochar process breakdown.png\|thumb\|Yield ratios of primary processes ("Slow" and "Fast" refer to forms of [[pyrolysis]]).<ref>"Chapter 11: Biochar Production" in Amonette, J.E., J.G. Archuleta, M.R. Fuchs, K.M. Hills, G.G. Yorgey, G. Flora, J. Hunt, H.-S. Han, B.T. Jobson, T.R. Miles, D.S. Page-Dumroese, S. Thompson, K.M. Trippe, K. Wilson, R. Baltar, K. Carloni, C. Christoforou, D.P. Collins, J. Dooley, D. Drinkard, M. Garcia-Pérez, G. Glass, K. Hoffman-Krull, M. Kauffman, D.A. Laird, W. Lei, J. Miedema, J. O’Donnell, A. Kiser, B. Pecha, C. Rodriguez-Franco, G.E. Scheve, C. Sprenger, B. Springsteen, and E. Wheeler. 2021~~. ''Biomass to Biochar: Maximizing the Carbon Value''. Report by Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University, Pullman WA. csanr.wsu.edu/biomass2biochar~~</ref> ]]		[[File:Biochar process breakdown.png\|thumb\|Yield ratios of primary processes ("Slow" and "Fast" refer to forms of [[pyrolysis]]).<ref>"Chapter 11: Biochar Production" in Amonette, J.E. et al. 2021</ref> ]]

	To transform feedstocks into biochar, in any form, involves a lot of heat with limited exposure to oxygen.		To transform feedstocks into biochar, in any form, involves a lot of heat with limited exposure to oxygen.

Jb: /* Process */

2023-03-15T21:17:07Z

Process

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:17, 15 March 2023
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	=Process=		=Process=
	[[File:Biochar process breakdown.png\|thumb\|Yield ratios of primary processes ("Slow" and "Fast" refer to forms of [[pyrolysis]]).<ref>~~https~~:~~//s3~~.us-~~west~~-2.~~amazonaws~~.~~com/wp2~~.~~cahnrs~~.wsu.edu/~~wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2021/11/Biomass2Biochar-Chapter11.pdf~~</ref> ]]		[[File:Biochar process breakdown.png\|thumb\|Yield ratios of primary processes ("Slow" and "Fast" refer to forms of [[pyrolysis]]).<ref>"Chapter 11: Biochar Production" in Amonette, J.E., J.G. Archuleta, M.R. Fuchs, K.M. Hills, G.G. Yorgey, G. Flora, J. Hunt, H.-S. Han, B.T. Jobson, T.R. Miles, D.S. Page-Dumroese, S. Thompson, K.M. Trippe, K. Wilson, R. Baltar, K. Carloni, C. Christoforou, D.P. Collins, J. Dooley, D. Drinkard, M. Garcia-Pérez, G. Glass, K. Hoffman-Krull, M. Kauffman, D.A. Laird, W. Lei, J. Miedema, J. O’Donnell, A. Kiser, B. Pecha, C. Rodriguez-Franco, G.E. Scheve, C. Sprenger, B. Springsteen, and E. Wheeler. 2021. ''Biomass to Biochar: Maximizing the Carbon Value''. Report by Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University, Pullman WA. csanr.wsu.edu/biomass2biochar</ref> ]]

	To transform feedstocks into biochar, in any form, involves a lot of heat with limited exposure to oxygen.		To transform feedstocks into biochar, in any form, involves a lot of heat with limited exposure to oxygen.

Jb: /* Process */

2023-03-15T21:15:06Z

Process

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:15, 15 March 2023
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	*The final step of any process is its quenching, in which the fire is put out and the char itself better activated, most often with water but sometimes with urine or dirt.		*The final step of any process is its quenching, in which the fire is put out and the char itself better activated, most often with water but sometimes with urine or dirt.

	Section content, unless otherwise cited, sourced from Amonette, J.E., et al. 2021. ''Biomass to Biochar: Maximizing the Carbon Value.'' Report by Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University, Pullman WA.~~<ref>~~https://csanr.wsu.edu/biomass2biochar/</ref>		//Section content, unless otherwise cited, sourced from: <ref>Amonette, J.E., et al. 2021. ''Biomass to Biochar: Maximizing the Carbon Value.'' Report by Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University, Pullman WA.https://csanr.wsu.edu/biomass2biochar/</ref>

	Bullet point data mostly taken from ''Journal of Analytic and Applied Pyrolysis'' 2022 (in which "yield" refers to biochar weight).~~<ref>~~https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2021.105405</ref>		//Bullet point data mostly taken from: <ref>''Journal of Analytic and Applied Pyrolysis'' 2022 (in which "yield" refers to biochar weight). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2021.105405</ref>

	==Torrefaction==		==Torrefaction==
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	Though the word combustion seems antithetical to the production of biochar, it is ironically combustion -- that ordinary, everyday technology -- that is perhaps responsible for a majority of biochar produced on [[Mother Earth]]. The key is that not all combustion technologies result in 100% complete combustion (yielding ash as the sole solid product); indeed, combustion technologies are imperfect. When oxygen is present, but insufficient for complete combustion, biochar can be pulled out of the system. Combustion for a boiler will generally yield 1.5-2% biochar.		Though the word combustion seems antithetical to the production of biochar, it is ironically combustion -- that ordinary, everyday technology -- that is perhaps responsible for a majority of biochar produced on [[Mother Earth]]. The key is that not all combustion technologies result in 100% complete combustion (yielding ash as the sole solid product); indeed, combustion technologies are imperfect. When oxygen is present, but insufficient for complete combustion, biochar can be pulled out of the system. Combustion for a boiler will generally yield 1.5-2% biochar.


	=Product=		=Product=

Jb: /* Technical */

2023-03-15T21:14:08Z

Technical

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:14, 15 March 2023
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	Although it seems counterintuitive, wood actually does not burn. Instead it is the gas emitted by heating the wood that burns. Only when the wood is finally charred under the flame of the woodgas, can oxygen penetrate the then porous structure of the newly charred wood and glow the carbon to ash. Striking a match on the rough surface of the matchbox ignites a flaming chemical reaction of the sulfurous tip that generates enough heat to make the wood emit highly combustible gases. The flame ignites the gases so released from the wood and the process continues under the heat from		Although it seems counterintuitive, wood actually does not burn. Instead it is the gas emitted by heating the wood that burns. Only when the wood is finally charred under the flame of the woodgas, can oxygen penetrate the then porous structure of the newly charred wood and glow the carbon to ash. Striking a match on the rough surface of the matchbox ignites a flaming chemical reaction of the sulfurous tip that generates enough heat to make the wood emit highly combustible gases. The flame ignites the gases so released from the wood and the process continues under the heat from
	the burning pyrolysis gases, causing further outgassing and burning of gas. But underneath the flame of the woodgas the wood itself does not burn but carbonizes, because the gas flame consumes all the oxygen, creating a pyrolysis zone where the flame protects the match from oxidation. As we know, the match burns with a clean flame until someone blows out the flame after which it will smoke. The		the burning pyrolysis gases, causing further outgassing and burning of gas. But underneath the flame of the woodgas the wood itself does not burn but carbonizes, because the gas flame consumes all the oxygen, creating a pyrolysis zone where the flame protects the match from oxidation. As we know, the match burns with a clean flame until someone blows out the flame after which it will smoke. The
	smoke is just the last unburned and condensing residual wood vapors, released before the match cools sufficiently to stop outgassing them. ~~[https~~://www.biochar-journal.org/~~itjo~~/~~media~~/~~doc~~/~~1437139451142.pdf]~~		smoke is just the last unburned and condensing residual wood vapors, released before the match cools sufficiently to stop outgassing them. <ref>Schmidt HP, Taylor P (2014): Kon-Tiki flame cap pyrolysis for the democratization of biochar production, the Biochar-Journal 2014,
			Arbaz, Switzerland, pp 14 -24, www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/39</ref>

	=Process=		=Process=