Presented by: China-Canada Bioenergy Network and Clean Energy Research Centre
Time & Date: Monday, May 30th from 4:00pm – 5:00pm PDT
Location: Zoom
Production of Homogenous Pyrolysis Oil from Low Quality Forestry Residues
Abstract
In general, high single phase liquid products (pyrolysis oil) can be obtained from bark free core wood by fast pyrolysis processes. Unfortunately, core wood is much in demand and can result in uneconomic pyrolysis oil production. The alternative approach is to use biomass residues (forestry and agricultural) which for a variety of factors can result in lower product yield, multiple product phases and product contamination. The biomass residues factors which have to be considered include: moisture content; particle size; ash content and composition; biochemical composition; chemical elements: nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine and extractives. This presentation will review the impact of these factors on pyrolysis oil production, composition and factors affecting long term stability (phase separation can be exacerbated by an increase in temperature and/or in storage time). For example, increased extractives (fatty acids, fatty alcohols, terpenes, resin acids, and terpenoids) can result in increased phase separation due to extractives’ lower oxygen content.
Biography
Dr. Fernando Preto received his B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and his Ph.D. from Queen’s University. Following graduation, he joined the Canadian Combustion Research Laboratory to pursue research on reducing emissions from combustion systems. He has followed this up with research projects on thermochemical conversion (pyrolysis and gasification) of biomass fuels, small-scale power generation and alternative energy for Canadian industry. He is currently Team Leader for Biomass Conversion in the CanmetENERGY-Ottawa Laboratories of Natural Resources Canada
Note: Thank you to everyone who attended; the event has now ended. We look forward to seeing you at the next one!