Hydrocarbon Fuels: Fractional Catalytic Pyrolysis of Biomass to Stable Bio-oils and Hydrocarbon Fuels

by Foster Agblevor (Associate Professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)) Agblevor discusses the development of pyrolysis techniques for lignocellulosic biomass at relatively low temperatures to form stable pyrolysis oils. The process equipment is detailed, along with materials, methods, and results and analysis from the pyrolysis of substrates like corn stover and poplar wood. Yields of pyrolysis oil (as opposed to char and off gas) were examined using NMR spectroscopy to elucidate their compositions. An important part of Agblevor's research is to study the stability of these oils, and examine fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) into more valuable products. Subsequent research will develop a pilot processing facility to generate more significant quantities of bio-oils.