Summary
This laboratory study examined how thermal pretreatment (torrefaction at 250°C) modifies the chemical structure of three lignocellulosic biomasses and subsequently influences their pyrolysis behaviour and hydrogen-rich gas production. Torrefaction reduced oxygen-containing functional groups in cellulose and hemicellulose whilst promoting conversion to aromatic structures, resulting in enhanced hydrogen and methane selectivity and increased phenolic content in pyrolysis tar. The findings suggest that torrefaction can lower activation energy requirements and alter reaction pathways, with effects varying by feedstock type, potentially improving the thermochemical efficiency of biomass-to-hydrogen conversion.
UK applicability
The findings are applicable to UK biomass energy policy and circular economy initiatives, particularly for agricultural residues (wheat straw) and forestry co-products (walnut shell, cedar). However, the study does not directly address UK-specific feedstock availability, scale-up economics, or integration with existing energy infrastructure; further techno-economic assessment would be required for practical implementation in UK context.
Key measures
Oxygen-containing functional groups (¹³C-NMR, FTIR); pyrolysis gas yields and composition (GC); tar composition and phenolic content (GC-MS); low heating value of pyrolysis gas; activation energy (thermogravimetric analysis); Z(α) master plots for reaction mechanism characterisation
Outcomes reported
The study investigated how torrefaction at 250°C alters oxygen-containing functional groups in three lignocellulosic biomasses (cedar, wheat straw, walnut shell) and subsequently affects pyrolysis gas composition, tar quality, and hydrogen yields at 900°C. Key outputs measured included gas composition (H₂, CH₄, CO, CO₂), tar phenolic content, activation energy, and pyrolysis reaction mechanisms.
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