Determination of the Pyrolytic Characteristics of Various Biomass Pellets

Sefai Bilgin, Hasan Yılmaz (), Mehmet Topakcı, Gürkan Alp Kağan Gürdil, Murad Çanakcı and Davut Karayel
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Sefai Bilgin: Department of Agricultural Machinery and Technologies Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Akdeniz University, 07059 Antalya, Türkiye
Hasan Yılmaz: Department of Agricultural Machinery and Technologies Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Akdeniz University, 07059 Antalya, Türkiye
Mehmet Topakcı: Department of Agricultural Machinery and Technologies Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Akdeniz University, 07059 Antalya, Türkiye
Gürkan Alp Kağan Gürdil: Department of Agricultural Machinery and Technologies Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55200 Samsun, Türkiye
Murad Çanakcı: Department of Agricultural Machinery and Technologies Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Akdeniz University, 07059 Antalya, Türkiye
Davut Karayel: Department of Agricultural Machinery and Technologies Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Akdeniz University, 07059 Antalya, Türkiye

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-16

Abstract: Biomass pellets are widely used for combustion but can also serve as sustainable feedstocks for pyrolysis. This study examined wood (WP), palm-pruning (PP), reed (RD), and daphne (DP) pellets. We present a compact framework linking composition (proximate/ultimate and lignocellulosic fractions) with TG/DTG, FTIR, TGA-derived indices (CPI, D dev , R w ), T pmax and R av to predict product selectivity and temperature ranges. TG/DTG showed the following sequence: hemicellulose (≈200–315 °C) first, cellulose (≈315–400 °C) with a sharp maximum, and lignin ≈200–600 °C. Low-ash WP and DP had sharper, higher peaks, favoring concentrated devolatilization and condensables. Mineral-rich PP and RD began earlier and showed depressed peaks from AAEM catalysis, shifting toward gases and ash-richer chars. Composition shaped these patterns: higher cellulose increased R av and CPI; links to T pmax were moderated by ash. Lignin strengthened a high-T shoulder, while hemicellulose promoted early deacetylation (RD’s 1730 cm −1 acetyl C=O) and release of CO 2 and acids. Correlations (|r| ≥ 0.70) supported these links: VM with total (m ∞ ) and second stage mass loss; cellulose with R av and CPI (T pmax moderated by ash); lignin and O/C with T f and last stage mass loss; ash negatively with T i , T pmax , and m ∞ . The obtained results guide the sustainable valorization of biomass pellets by selecting temperatures for liquids, H 2 /CO-rich gases or low-ash aromatic chars.

Keywords: pelletizing; thermochemical conversion; torrefaction; condensable gases; biochar (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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