Slow pyrolysis of birch (Betula) studied with GC/MS and GC/FTIR/FID

Small samples of wood (15 – 150 mg) from 8 different species of birch (Betula) were pyrolysed at 550 °C. The compounds produced from the pyrolysis were analysed using gas chromatographic (GC) methods: direct injection with GC/FTIR/FID and pre-concentration with GC/MS. A broad distribution of oxygenated organic compounds was formed: aldehydes, acids, ketones, substituted furans and methoxylated phenols. The chromatograms were very similar for all eight species, both with direct injection and pre-concentration. Compared to similar studies for pine and spruces significantly higher amounts were formed in the molecular range 60 – 130 amu. The conifers showed more peaks with a molecular weight above 200 amu.