Biomass pyrolysis can produce charcoal for several applications. For example, the “Biomet” project studies how to transform the wood waste of the furniture industry into a renewable carbon-rich char for metallurgical use.

Along with char, biomass pyrolysis produces a gas (syngas, formed by hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, and other incondensable) and a condensable liquid. Upon cooling, the latter yields an ultrafine aerosol whose separation is required to obtain a clean gas, reduce environmental pollution, and turn it into a resource whenever possible. The liquid obtained from slow pyrolysis (also called wood vinegar) can be considered a high-value by-product in the preparation of biochar by biomass pyrolysis. As a natural fungicide, wood vinegar has great potential to control plant disease, achieve more sustainable agriculture, and avoid the massive use of pesticides.

We present some experimental results obtained employing a slow pyrolyzer operating with a closed-loop principle to produce metallurgical char and slow pyrolysis luquid and relatively clean syngas. The FumeCatch reactor adopts an innovative cooling-down principle and a cyclone to maximize the separation of condensed vapors. It cools down suddenly the pyrolysis fumes, mixing the hot flow with a recirculated cold fraction. This way, we can study the effect of the cooling and cyclone collection efficiency on yield and composition in the pyrolysis liquid. Aerosol collection efficiency was quantified, showing cyclone geometry’s and operating parameters’ important effect on the collection efficiency.

Quantifying and analyzing this new technology’s prototype output showed some promising results. The biochar yield ...

Water constitutes most bio-oil, accounting for 67% by mass; the remaining 33% comprises various chemicals (acetic acid, levoglucosan). According to the results...