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Biochar and pyrolytic gas properties from pyrolysis of simulated municipal solid waste (SMSW) under pyrolytic gas atmosphere

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Abstract

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) was converted into high-grade solid fuels (biochar) and gaseous product via thermal pyrolysis under pyrolytic gas atmosphere. The experiment was carried out in a packed-bed reactor at the temperature range of 600–800 °C in both atmospheres of N2 and pyrolytic gas. Gas, liquid, and solid products were analyzed by gas chromatograph and elemental analysis. Amount of biochar obtained from both atmospheres were not significantly different. CH4 and CO2 in pyrolytic gas promoted the release of volatile in the MSW, resulting in lower ratio of VM/FC, ca. 0.13. The atomic ratios of O/C and H/C were around 0.02–0.11 and 0.005–0.035, respectively. These values were equivalent to anthracite coal type. On the other hand, the liquid fuel yield under pyrolytic gas condition was found to be higher, compared with that under N2 condition. In addition, the enhancement of H2 and CO production was accompanied by the decrease in CH4 and CO2 output. Overall, the operating condition at 800 °C or higher with reaction times longer than 4 min were recommended for production of biochar with fuel qualities approaching anthracite coal.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the financial support of the National–International Cooperation Project (2016YFE0202000 and 2017YFE0107600) and Zhejiang Natural Science Foundation Project (LY 17E060005).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Insitute of Energy and Power Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China

    Mi Yan, Sicheng Zhang, Haryo Wibowo, Xuanyou Zhou, Ekkachai Kanchanatip &  Antoni

  2. Center of Excellence in Environmental Catalysis and Adsorption, Thammasat University, Bangkok, 12120, Thailand

    Nurak Grisdanurak & Ekkachai Kanchanatip

  3. Zhejiang Energy Group R&D, Hangzhou, 310026, China

    Yi Cai

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  1. Mi Yan
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Correspondence to Haryo Wibowo.

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Yan, M., Zhang, S., Wibowo, H. et al. Biochar and pyrolytic gas properties from pyrolysis of simulated municipal solid waste (SMSW) under pyrolytic gas atmosphere. Waste Dispos. Sustain. Energy 2, 37–46 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42768-019-00030-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42768-019-00030-y

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