Design, optimization and evaluation of a free-fall biomass fast pyrolysis reactor and its products
by Ellens, Cody James, M.S., IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY, 2009, 154 pages; 1473200

Abstract:

The focus of this work is a radiatively heated, free-fall, fast pyrolysis reactor. The reactor was designed and constructed for the production of bio-oil from the fast pyrolysis of biomass. A central composite design of experiments was performed to evaluate the novel reactor by varying four operating conditions: reactor temperature, biomass particle size, carrier gas flow rate and biomass feed rate. Maximum bio-oil yields of 72 wt % were achieved at a heater set point temperature of 600 °C, using particle sizes of 300 micron, carrier gas flow rates of 4 sL/min and Red oak biomass feed rates of 1.75 kg/hr. Optimal operating conditions were identified for maximum bio-oil yields at a heater set point temperature of 572 °C, feeding 240 micron sized Red oak biomass particles at 2 kg/hr. Carrier gas flow rates were not found to be significant over the 1 – 5 sL/min range tested.
 
AdviserRobert C. Brown
SchoolIOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
SourceMAI/ 48-03, p. , Feb 2010
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsMechanical engineering; Energy
Publication Number1473200
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