Pyrolyze - Innovation for a Cleaner and Healthier Environment
Summary - Those working in the field of bio-energy regularly come across the term Pyrolysis. What does it mean, and what are its benefits? This particular article sheds some light on some details of the pyrolysis process along with the practical benefits of the process.
Pyrolysis is a type of thermochemical process whose process and concept can be applied to any organic product (basically carbon-based). This process can be effectively applied to both pure products as well as different mixtures. The material is exposed to extremely high temperatures and with the help of the absence of oxygen, goes through chemical and physical separation into different molecules. This specific thermal decomposition i.e. pyrolyze leads to the formation of new molecules which allows the receiver to receive products with a more superior character than the original state. One of the great advantages of this process is that many types of raw material can be used, including industrial and domestic residues. Different types of pyrolysis have been developed: fast, catalytic fast, intermediate, slow, vacuum. Over-all the pyrolysis process can be classified as slow and fast depending on the heating rate. Slow and fast pyrolysis is usually carried out in the inert atmosphere whereas hydrous pyrolysis is carried out in the presence of water and hydro‐pyrolysis is carried out in the presence of hydrogen. The residence time of vapor in the pyrolysis medium is longer for the slow pyrolysis process.
Let us briefly look at each of the three end products of a Pyrolysis Plant:
Charcoal – It can be used as a high calorific value fuel, or utilized as a feedstock to make activated carbon from which several natural filtration products are made. Charcoal is the main end product for most pyrolysis processes worldwide.
Oil – This is a thick oil similar, with a calorific value about half that of gasoline or diesel. This oil is suitable for use in some heating applications, especially in applications where furnace oil is currently used.
Organic gas – It forms only a small component of the by-products from the pyrolytic process. This is a low calorific value gas that could find some applications for heating or small-scale power generation.
Pyrolysis is thus an effective way to convert biomass, especially waste agricultural waste and such, into useful fuels and products. (Pyrolysis can also be used to convert plastic to oil)
