Biofuel production using slow pyrolysis of the straw and stalk of the rapeseed plant

Amongst the renewable alternative energy sources, biomass has a large poten tial for commercial usage. Pyrolysis is the most important among the therma l conversion processes of biomass. In this study, slow pyrolysis of the str aw and stalk of the rapeseed plant was investigated within a tubular reacto r under the conditions of static atmosphere, varying temperatures of 350 de grees, 450 degrees, 550 degrees and 650 degrees C and at heating rates of 1 0 degrees C min(-1) and 30 degrees C:min(-1). The maximum liquid yield was observed to be evolving at 650 degrees C pyrolysis temperature and at a hea ting rate of 30 degrees C min(-1). The various characteristics of pyrolytic oil obtained under these conditions were identified. Following the chemica l characterization, the pyrolytic oil originated from the straw and stalk o f the rapeseed plant is presented as a biofuel candidate. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.