2009 International Biomass

Conference
Presented by BBI International. Portland, Oregon USA

Pyrolysis and Its End Products

Robert Volpe
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Mantria Industries, LLC
 Terminology

Terminology
Combustion
Reaction of a material with air/O2 with the intent of complete oxidation.

Gasification
The conversion of a material into a gas, commonly referred to as ''producer gas'‘, if the reaction is
with air and "syngas" if the reaction is with O2.

Pyrolysis
Thermal degradation of biomass in the absence of oxygen to produce condensable vapors, gases,
and charcoal. Air may be admitted to promote endothermic process.

Liquefaction
Low temperature, high pressure thermo-chemical conversion in the liquid phase, usually with a high
hydrogen partial pressure and catalyst to enhance the rate of reaction.

Source: International Biochar Initiative - http://www.biochar-international.org

 Types of Pyrolysis

Types of Pyrolysis
Slow pyrolysis
Slow pyrolysis has been used for centuries to produce charcoal, tars, alcohols such as ethanol and methanol and other solvents.
• Relatively low reactor temperatures [< 400°C]
• Atmospheric pressure
• Very low heating rates ranging from 0.01°C/s to up to 2°C/s

Conventional pyrolysis
Yields of organic liquids products from conventional pyrolysis are typically low, 20 % char yields, 20 wt% water and non-condensable
gases comprised mainly of carbon dioxide.
• Relatively low reactor temperatures [< 450°C]
• Slow heating rates [of the material] of about 2-10°C/s
• Atmospheric pressure

Fast pyrolysis
Fast pyrolysis therefore gives higher reaction rates due to the higher temperatures. The distinction between flash and fast pyrolysis has largely
disappeared :
• High heating rates [> 1000°C/s]
• Reactor temperatures greater than 450°C
• Operated from ~425-550°C to optimise liquid yields [depending on feedstock]
• Above 600°C to increase or optimise the gas yield
Source: International Biochar Initiative - http://www.biochar-international.org
 Pyrolysis Hybrid Systems

Hybrid: Advanced pressurized, partial-pyrolitic gasification and carbonization system.

 Types of Feedstocks
Tires MSW and Sludge Agricultural Waste

Green Waste Invasive Species Agricultural Residue

 Waste Macadamia Nut Shells

Before Processing After Processing

Limited Commercial Use High Commercial Value

 BioProducts™

BioChar
• Soil Amendments
• Water, Gas and Air Filtration
• Metallurgical Reductant
• Cooking and Heating
• Pharmaceutical
• Power Utilities
• Industrial
 BioChar

BioChar Benefits
• Enhances crop growth by 80 – 800 percent

• Increases the cation exchange capacity in soils

• Enhances soil microbial functions

• Improves nutrient retention capacity of soils

• Reduces fertilizer and herbicides required, decreasing N2O & CH4 emissions

• Improves water permeability, retention while preventing leaching of nutrients

• Sequesters carbon for many generations

 Water, Gas and Air Filtration

Water, Gas and Air Filtration

Activated carbon is used in a wide variety of purification and filtration
systems such as municipal and industrial water treatment systems.

Non-porous BioChar can be converted to highly porous, high surface

area activated BioChar by steam treatment at elevated temperature
 Cooking and Heating

Cooking and Heating

Cooking
Charcoal Briquettes for cooking, including grilling and barbecuing.

Heat production
Used as a raw material to manufacture fuel pellets for use in domestic and industrial
heating markets. This market is currently supplied by wood pellet products. BioCarbon
has a higher energy density than wood pellets.
 Metallurgical

Metallurgical
•BioChar can be used as a reductant, similar to coke, in the
production of iron and steel.

•Substitute for high value anthracite coal, which is typically used in

metallurgical applications such as iron production.
 More Uses

Pharmaceuticals
Activated carbon is used in pharmaceutical industry primarily as an
adsorbent to remove pollutants during the drug manufacturing
process.

Mercury Removal from Coal

Used to absorb mercury emissions from coal fired power stations,
medical incinerators, and from natural gas at the wellhead.

Co-Fire With Coal

As the BioChar is CO2 neutral and contains virtually no sulphur,
emissions are reduced in proportion to the amount of coal displaced.
 More Uses

Carbon Black
A purified form of carbon with many applications, including ink-jet
printer ink and tire manufacturing.

Cement/Asphalt
As an amendment for asphaltic concrete.

Carbon Fuel Cells

Turns carbon directly into electricity.
 BioProducts™ Improve Environment

Producing BioProducts™ Reduces

the Following Negative Effects On Our Environment
• Green House Gas Emissions
• Air, Water, and Land Pollution
• Waste Streams and Landfills
• Waste Stream Hauling Traffic
• Vector and Health Problems
• Agricultural Chemical Fertilizer
 2009 International Biomass
Conference
Presented by BBI International. Portland, Oregon USA

Pyrolysis and Its End Products

Robert Volpe
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Mantria Industries, LLC
rvolpe@mantria.com

www.MantriaIndustries.com
www.CarbonDiversion.com
www.EternaGreen.com