Catalytic and atmospheric effects on microwave pyrolysis of corn stover.
Corn stover, which is one of the most abundant agricultural residues around the world, could be converted into valuable biofuels and bio based products by means of microwave pyrolysis. After the reaction at the microwave power level of 500W for the processing time of 30min, the reaction performance under N2 atmosphere was generally better than under CO2 atmosphere. This may be due to the better heat absorbability of CO2 molecules to reduce the heat for stover pyrolysis. Most of the metal-oxide catalysts effectively increased the maximum temperature and mass reduction ratio but lowered the calorific values of solid residues. The gas most produced was CO under N2 atmosphere but CO2 under CO2 atmosphere. Catalyst addition lowered the formation of PAHs and thus made liquid products less toxic. More liquid products and less gas products were generated when using the catalysts possibly due to the existence of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 71 Chou-Shan Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan, ROC.
Yu-Fong
YF
Huang
Wen-Hui
WH
Kuan
Chi-Cheng
CC
Chang
Yu-Min
YM
Tzou
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis*; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis*; D002384:Catalysis; D004777:Environment; D006358:Hot Temperature; D017745:Incineration / Q000379:methods*; D008872:Microwaves; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002248:Carbon Monoxide