Thermochemical treatment of biomass in a flow of steam or in a mixture of steam and carbon dioxide

Simultaneous pyrolysis and gasification of biomass samples of different origin is performed in a flow of steam or in a mixture of steam and carbon dioxide. Wastes from birch wood, olive stones, bagasse, and pellets from straw and Miscanthus are used as feedstock. The raw materials are heated with 10°C/min to 750°C at atmospheric pressure and kept for a period of 2 h at this temperature. Laboratory experimental equipment with a horizontal rotating stainless steel reactor is used. The oxygen-containing functional groups in the solid products (–COOH, CO and –OH) are determined using the method of Boehm. The results are compared with those obtained in treatment in inert atmosphere as well as with those obtained in a stationary reactor. The rotating pyrolysis reactor seems suitable for production of energy-rich gaseous products and activated carbons.