TY - JOUR
T1 - Design and construction of low-cost biomass pyrolysis reactor for research and teaching in universities and colleges
AU - Ibitoye, Segun E.
AU - Mahamood, Rasheedat M.
AU - Olayemi, Olalekan A.
AU - Jen, Tien Chien
AU - Omoniyi, Peter O.
AU - Loha, Chanchal
AU - Akinola, Emmanuel A.
AU - Akinlabi, Esther T.
PY - 2024/11/28
Y1 - 2024/11/28
N2 - Research on biomass pyrolysis for energy production is limited in developing countries due to a lack of equipment for research. In this study, a portable, low-cost biomass pyrolysis reactor was designed and constructed at a laboratory scale to facilitate teaching and research applications. The fabricated reactor was tested using rice husk and corncob at different temperatures (450, 500, 550 oC) and a residence time of 60 min. The pyrolysis reactor is capable of processing a variety of feedstocks, with a maximum batch size of 1 kg. The product yields for rice husk samples were 43.93–48.01, 21.14–24.06, and 30.85–32.01% for char, oil, and syngas, respectively. For corncob biomass, the corresponding yields were 45.14–49.26, 25.11–29.22, and 25.63–26.44%. As the pyrolysis temperature increased, oil and syngas production rose, while char yield decreased. The favorable product properties and the alignment of yield distribution with other reactors underscore the reactor’s effectiveness for teaching and research purposes. This reactor uniquely enables the collection of all pyrolysis products, including syngas, allowing for renewable gas research like green hydrogen. Improved heat transfer via direct heating boosts the efficiency of the reactor chamber, addressing prior limitations. Its portability supports both field research and practical education in remote areas. The fabricated reactor involves much lower capital costs by eliminating shipping, tariffs, and currency exchange fees. Maintenance is also more affordable, as spare parts and expertise are locally accessible. This research promotes technical skill development, supporting long-term savings and fostering sustainable bioenergy sectors, especially in developing countries. The biochar and syngas produced in this study can be used as sustainable carbon sources in the iron and steel industry, with syngas also serving as a potential source for green hydrogen production.
AB - Research on biomass pyrolysis for energy production is limited in developing countries due to a lack of equipment for research. In this study, a portable, low-cost biomass pyrolysis reactor was designed and constructed at a laboratory scale to facilitate teaching and research applications. The fabricated reactor was tested using rice husk and corncob at different temperatures (450, 500, 550 oC) and a residence time of 60 min. The pyrolysis reactor is capable of processing a variety of feedstocks, with a maximum batch size of 1 kg. The product yields for rice husk samples were 43.93–48.01, 21.14–24.06, and 30.85–32.01% for char, oil, and syngas, respectively. For corncob biomass, the corresponding yields were 45.14–49.26, 25.11–29.22, and 25.63–26.44%. As the pyrolysis temperature increased, oil and syngas production rose, while char yield decreased. The favorable product properties and the alignment of yield distribution with other reactors underscore the reactor’s effectiveness for teaching and research purposes. This reactor uniquely enables the collection of all pyrolysis products, including syngas, allowing for renewable gas research like green hydrogen. Improved heat transfer via direct heating boosts the efficiency of the reactor chamber, addressing prior limitations. Its portability supports both field research and practical education in remote areas. The fabricated reactor involves much lower capital costs by eliminating shipping, tariffs, and currency exchange fees. Maintenance is also more affordable, as spare parts and expertise are locally accessible. This research promotes technical skill development, supporting long-term savings and fostering sustainable bioenergy sectors, especially in developing countries. The biochar and syngas produced in this study can be used as sustainable carbon sources in the iron and steel industry, with syngas also serving as a potential source for green hydrogen production.
KW - Biomass energy
KW - Corncob
KW - Pyrolysis reactor
KW - Reactor design
KW - Reactor fabrication
KW - Rice husk
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85210498592&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s13399-024-06375-7
DO - 10.1007/s13399-024-06375-7
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85210498592
SN - 2190-6815
SP - 1
EP - 17
JO - Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery
JF - Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery
ER -
