Microwave pyrolysis of distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) was investigated to determine the effects of pyrolytic conditions on the yields of bio-oil, syngas, and biochar. Pyrolysis process variables included reaction temperature, time, and power input. Microwave pyrolysis of DDGS was analyzed using response surface methodology to ?nd out the effect of process variables on the biofuel (bio-oil and syn- gas) conversion yield and establish prediction models. Bio-oil recovery was in the range of 26.5–50.3 wt.% of the biomass. Biochar yields were 23.5–62.2% depending on the pyrolysis conditions. The energy con- tent of DDGS bio-oils was 28 MJ/kg obtained at the 650 oC and 8 min, which was about 66.7% of the heat- ing value of gasoline. GC/MS analysis indicated that the biooil contained a series of important and useful chemical compounds: aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. At least 13% of DDGS bio-oil was the same hydrocarbon compounds found in regular unleaded gasoline.
Revised: September 26, 2012 |
Published: May 1, 2011
Citation
Lei H., S. Ren, L. Wang, Q. Bu, J. Julson, J.E. Holladay, and R. Ruan. 2011.Microwave pyrolysis of distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) for biofuel production.Bioresource Technology 102, no. 10:6208-6213.PNNL-SA-81129.doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.02.050