Influence of Pyrolysis Temperature on Product Distribution and Characteristics of Anaerobic Sludge

Muhammad Usman Hanif, Mohammed Zwawi, Sergio C. Capareda, Hamid Iqbal, Mohammed Algarni, Bassem F. Felemban, Ali Bahadar and Adeel Waqas
Additional contact information
Muhammad Usman Hanif: Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Sector H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Mohammed Zwawi: Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Abdul Aziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia
Sergio C. Capareda: Bio-Energy Testing and Analysis Laboratory (BETA Lab), Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Hamid Iqbal: Rawalpindi Waste Management Company, A-81, Iran Road, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan
Mohammed Algarni: Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Abdul Aziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia
Bassem F. Felemban: Mechanical Engineering Department, Taif University, Taif 21974, Saudia Arabia
Ali Bahadar: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, King Abdul Aziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia
Adeel Waqas: Center for Advanced Studies in Energy, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

Energies, 2019, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Pyrolysis of anaerobically digested sludge can serve as an efficient biomass for biofuel production. Pyrolysis produces products like char, bio-oil, and combustible gases by thermochemical conversion process. It can be used for sludge treatment that decreases sludge disposal problems. Sludge produced from anaerobic co-digestion (microalgae, cow dung, and paper) waste has high carbon and hydrogen content. We investigated the candidacy of the anaerobic sludge having high heating value (HHV) of 20.53 MJ/kg as a reliable biomass for biofuels production. The process of pyrolysis was optimized with different temperatures (400, 500, and 600 °C) to produce high quantity and improved quality of the products, mainly bio-oil, char, and gas. The results revealed that with the increase in pyrolysis temperature the quantity of char decreased (81% to 55%), bio-oil increased (3% to 7%), and gas increased (2% to 5%). The HHV of char (19.2 MJ/kg), bio-oil (28.1 MJ/kg), and gas (18.1 MJ/kg) were predominantly affected by the amount of fixed carbon, hydrocarbons, and volatile substance, respectively. The study confirmed that the anaerobic sludge is a promising biomass for biofuel production and pyrolysis is an efficient method for its safe disposal.

Keywords: anaerobic sludge; pyrolysis; hydrocarbon; alternate energy; bio-oil (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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