TECHNICAL NOTE: TEST OF FAST PYROLYSIS AT BED REACTOR FLUIDIZED WITH THREE AIR FLOW RATES

Abstract

Test of fast pyrolysis at bed reactor fluidized were carried out with sugar cane using air as fluidizing agent, where three bands were used to adjust the valve opening to control air flow to the reactor. The objective was to evaluate the yields of bio-oil and fine charcoal depending on the flow of air, in which it was measured with an orifice plate. The temperature profiles and pressure inside the reactor were also monitored. The pyrolysis plant where the tests were conducted belongs to the School of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), being installed at the Laboratory of Thermodynamics and Energy. The reactor has a nominal capacity of 200 kg.h-1 of biomass and operates on auto-thermal regime, consuming between 10% and 15% of the biomass to supply heat to the process. The values of temperature and pressure increased, as well the amount of biomass burned to supply heat. It was observed that the total biomass fed into the reactor presented decreased in relation to increased air flow, as well as the gravimetric income of fines charcoal and bio-oil.