title: Pyrolysis of cassava rhizome in a counter-rotating twin screw reactor unit.
abstract: A counter-rotating twin screw reactor unit was investigated for its behaviour in the pyrolysis of cassava rhizome biomass. Several parameters such as pyrolysis temperature in the range of 500-700°C, biomass particle size of <0.6mm, the use of sand as heat transfer medium, nitrogen flow rate of 4-10 L/min and nitrogen pressure of 1-3 bar were thoroughly examined. It was found that the pyrolysis temperature of 550°C could maximise the bio-oil yield (50 wt.%). The other optimum parameters for maximising the bio-oil yield were the biomass particle size of 0.250-0.425 mm, the nitrogen flow rate of 4 L/min and the nitrogen pressure of 2 bar. The use of the heat transfer medium could increase the bio-oil yield to a certain extent. Moreover, the water content of bio-oil produced with the counter-rotating twin screw reactor was relatively low, whereas the solids content was relatively high, compared to some other reactor configurations.
authors.affiliation: Bio-Energy and Renewable Resources Research Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Mahasarakham University, Kamriang, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand.
authors.forename: Somsak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sirijanusorn
authors.forename: Keartisak
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sriprateep
authors.forename: Adisak
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pattiya
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D018533:Biomass; D019149:Bioreactors; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D002365:Manihot / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D011312:Pressure; D012212:Rheology; D027343:Rhizome / Q000737:chemistry*; D012399:Rotation; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D005740:Gases