Slow pyrolysis of cork granules under nitrogen atmosphere: by-products characterization and their potential valorization

Cork granules (Quercus suber L.) were slowly pyrolyzed at temperatures between 400-700 °C and under N2 flow. While preserving its structure, some cells of the cork biochar became interconnected, allowing such carbon residue to be used as templates for manufacturing ceria redox materials. The pyrolyt...

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Main Authors: Paula Costa, M. Alexandra Barreiros, Ana Mouquinho, Pedro Oliveira e Silva, Filipe Paradela, Fernando Oliveira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Alpha Creation Enterprise 2022-03-01
Series:Biofuel Research Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_145622_41ed9fa1c864f66ffb83aaae113e4bed.pdf
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author Paula Costa
M. Alexandra Barreiros
Ana Mouquinho
Pedro Oliveira e Silva
Filipe Paradela
Fernando Oliveira
author_facet Paula Costa
M. Alexandra Barreiros
Ana Mouquinho
Pedro Oliveira e Silva
Filipe Paradela
Fernando Oliveira
author_sort Paula Costa
collection DOAJ
description Cork granules (Quercus suber L.) were slowly pyrolyzed at temperatures between 400-700 °C and under N2 flow. While preserving its structure, some cells of the cork biochar became interconnected, allowing such carbon residue to be used as templates for manufacturing ceria redox materials. The pyrolytic char morphology was similar to that of the natural precursor. The produced cork biochar belonged to Class 1 (C > 60%) and possessed a high heating value of 32 MJ kg−1. Other pyrolysis-derived compounds were identified and quantified through GC-FID and GC-MS analyses. The yield of gases released during cork pyrolysis was strongly dependent on the temperature used due to the thermal decomposition reactions involved in the degradation of cork. In particular, rising pyrolysis temperature from 500 to 700 ºC resulted in reducing the total hydrocarbon gases from 74 to 24 vol%. On the other hand, the yield of H2 increased from 0 to 58% by increasing the pyrolysis temperature from 400 to 700 ºC. Due to the presence of suberin in cork, the composition and yield of bio-oil could be regulated by the pyrolysis temperature. Cork bio-oil was found to consist of long-chain hydrocarbons (from C11 to C24). The bio-oil resulting from the slow pyrolysis of cork residues is suitable as an appropriate feedstock for producing aliphatic-rich pyrolytic biofuels or as a source of olefins. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that Quercus suber L. could be a promising feedstock for biochar and biofuel production through the pyrolytic route and could contribute to the environmental and economic sustainability of the cork production industry.
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spelling doaj.art-d67a446384b9445b827dfd792990ad4c2024-03-26T15:13:21ZengAlpha Creation EnterpriseBiofuel Research Journal2292-87822022-03-01911562157210.18331/BRJ2022.9.1.3145622Slow pyrolysis of cork granules under nitrogen atmosphere: by-products characterization and their potential valorizationPaula Costa0M. Alexandra Barreiros1Ana Mouquinho2Pedro Oliveira e Silva3Filipe Paradela4Fernando Oliveira5LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia I.P., LEN - Laboratório de Energia, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisboa, Portugal.LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia I.P., LEN - Laboratório de Energia, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisboa, Portugal.LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia I.P., LEN - Laboratório de Energia, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisboa, Portugal.LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia I.P., LEN - Laboratório de Energia, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisboa, Portugal.LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia I.P., LEN - Laboratório de Energia, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisboa, Portugal.LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia I.P., LEN - Laboratório de Energia, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisboa, Portugal.Cork granules (Quercus suber L.) were slowly pyrolyzed at temperatures between 400-700 °C and under N2 flow. While preserving its structure, some cells of the cork biochar became interconnected, allowing such carbon residue to be used as templates for manufacturing ceria redox materials. The pyrolytic char morphology was similar to that of the natural precursor. The produced cork biochar belonged to Class 1 (C > 60%) and possessed a high heating value of 32 MJ kg−1. Other pyrolysis-derived compounds were identified and quantified through GC-FID and GC-MS analyses. The yield of gases released during cork pyrolysis was strongly dependent on the temperature used due to the thermal decomposition reactions involved in the degradation of cork. In particular, rising pyrolysis temperature from 500 to 700 ºC resulted in reducing the total hydrocarbon gases from 74 to 24 vol%. On the other hand, the yield of H2 increased from 0 to 58% by increasing the pyrolysis temperature from 400 to 700 ºC. Due to the presence of suberin in cork, the composition and yield of bio-oil could be regulated by the pyrolysis temperature. Cork bio-oil was found to consist of long-chain hydrocarbons (from C11 to C24). The bio-oil resulting from the slow pyrolysis of cork residues is suitable as an appropriate feedstock for producing aliphatic-rich pyrolytic biofuels or as a source of olefins. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that Quercus suber L. could be a promising feedstock for biochar and biofuel production through the pyrolytic route and could contribute to the environmental and economic sustainability of the cork production industry.https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_145622_41ed9fa1c864f66ffb83aaae113e4bed.pdfpyrolysiscork (quercus suber l.)bio-oilbiocharbioenergy
spellingShingle Paula Costa
M. Alexandra Barreiros
Ana Mouquinho
Pedro Oliveira e Silva
Filipe Paradela
Fernando Oliveira
Slow pyrolysis of cork granules under nitrogen atmosphere: by-products characterization and their potential valorization
Biofuel Research Journal
pyrolysis
cork (quercus suber l.)
bio-oil
biochar
bioenergy
title Slow pyrolysis of cork granules under nitrogen atmosphere: by-products characterization and their potential valorization
title_full Slow pyrolysis of cork granules under nitrogen atmosphere: by-products characterization and their potential valorization
title_fullStr Slow pyrolysis of cork granules under nitrogen atmosphere: by-products characterization and their potential valorization
title_full_unstemmed Slow pyrolysis of cork granules under nitrogen atmosphere: by-products characterization and their potential valorization
title_short Slow pyrolysis of cork granules under nitrogen atmosphere: by-products characterization and their potential valorization
title_sort slow pyrolysis of cork granules under nitrogen atmosphere by products characterization and their potential valorization
topic pyrolysis
cork (quercus suber l.)
bio-oil
biochar
bioenergy
url https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_145622_41ed9fa1c864f66ffb83aaae113e4bed.pdf
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