Characteristics of Aerosol Formation and Emissions During Corn Stalk Pyrolysis

Ning Li, Jiale Zhang, Zhihe Li and Yongjun Li
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Ning Li: School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
Jiale Zhang: School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
Zhihe Li: School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China
Yongjun Li: School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 22, 1-15

Abstract: The inevitable emission of aerosols during pyrolysis can negatively affect the downstream process and even pollute the environment. In this work, the characteristics of aerosols were investigated during corn stalk pyrolysis at 400–900 °C. The effects of other operation conditions on the aerosol emissions were also probed with online and offline instruments. Results show the yield of aerosol presents a regular change with temperature in a wide range ratio of 3.4–8.7 wt.%. The aerosol size distribution reveals a unimodal form mainly in the 1.1–2.1 μm accumulation range and the maximum emission achieved is about 35 mg/g for SR and SP at 500 °C. Nevertheless, SL gives about 34 mg/g at 600 °C. High temperature promotes the decomposition of polymers into partciles with small diameter (less than PM 1.0 ). The microtopography of aerosol presents spherical droplets, elongated-like liquid and solid particles that form heterogenous or homogeneous aggregations, that also happen on account of collisions. Aerosols contain mostly organic matter, a small amount of salt and over 50% of volatile organic carbon molecules (VOCs) in the total organic carbon (OC). Proper gas flow, high vapor concentration and longer path way boost the yield of bio-oil and reduce the emission of aerosols. The direct contact is beneficial for adequate extraction, but also causes additional solvent emissions.

Keywords: cornstalk; pyrolysis; aerosol (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: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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