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Recent Progress in Biomass Pyrolysis and High Value Utilization of Pyrolytic Carbon

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A4: Bio-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 22780

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marcin Sajdak

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Guest Editor

Department of Air Protection, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Interests: biomass utilisation; pyrolysis; chemometrics and chemoinformatics; waste-to-energy; chemical recycling

Dr. Roksana Muzyka

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Guest Editor

Department of Air Protection, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Interests: biomass utilisation; pyrolysis; analytical pyrolysis; chromatography; waste-to-energy

Dr. Grzegorz Gałko

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Guest Editor

The Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas (IETU), 40-844 Katowice, Poland
Interests: biomass utilisation; gasification; engineering thermodynamics; solid waste management; alternative fuels

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomass is one of the most widely available renewable energy carriers, and its use as a source of energy has been recognised as an environmentally advantageous and sustainable alternative. In comparison to more traditional fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil, biomass fuel creates no carbon dioxide. Not only may biomass and biomass-derived materials be utilised as a source of fuel, they can also be used to obtain additional valuable goods and by-products from the thermal conversion of biomass. Depending on the process circumstances, the pyrolysis process, which is one of the most prevalent methods for the thermal conversion of biomass, can produce three key and valuable product streams: biochar, bio-oil, and pyrolysis gas. One of the most prevalent techniques is pyrolysis. Biochar made from biomass is increasingly being used not only in sorption processes, but also in energy storage and in metallurgy sectors with cokemaking processes. However, replacing traditional fuel with biomass in these sectors raises a slew of technological challenges. CO₂ emissions will be reduced by replacing coal with biomass in industries such as metallurgy and cokemaking. Bio-oils, in addition to providing a source of the components required to make liquid fuel, may also act as substrates in numerous biotechnological processes. Not only is pyrolytic gas being investigated in terms of energy, but it is also being investigated as a substrate for chemical synthesis. Methods involving pyrolysis and biomass remain important components with the ability to contribute to the expansion of society while emitting zero emissions in accordance with sustainable development guidelines. This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the most recent advances and prospects related to the theory, experimentation, simulation and application of recent progess in biomass pyrolysis with a high-value utilization of pyrolytic carbon. Both research and review articles are welcome. As a result, we cordially invite you to contribute essays on a wide range of topics relating to this area. Papers should address either the theoretical or applied aspects of the topic.

Dr. Marcin Sajdak
Dr. Roksana Muzyka
Dr. Grzegorz Gałko
Guest Editors

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Keywords

enhancement of biomass
bioreducers
biomaterials used in metallurgy and steel production
alternative energy sources
bio-coke
bio-based products

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 2228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of High-Temperature Torrefied Wood Pellets for Use in a Blast Furnace Injection System

by Richard Deutsch, Norbert Kienzl, Hugo Stocker, Christoph Strasser and Gernot Krammer

Energies 2025, 18(3), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18030458 - 21 Jan 2025

Viewed by 507

Abstract

As the iron and steel industry needs to cut its CO₂ emissions drastically, much effort has been put into establishing new—less greenhouse-gas-intensive—production lines fueled by hydrogen and electricity. Blast furnaces, as a central element of hot iron production, are expected to lose importance, at least in European production strategies. Yet, blast furnaces could play a significant role in the transitional phase, as they allow for the implementation of another CO₂-reducing fuel, carbonized wood reducing agents, as a substitute for coal in auxiliary injection systems, which are currently widely used. Wood carbonization yields vastly differing fuel types depending on the severity of the treatment process, mainly its peak temperature. The goal of this study is to define the lowest treatment temperature, i.e., torrefaction temperature, which results in a biogenic reducing agent readily employable in existing coal injection systems, focusing on their conveying properties. Samples of different treatment temperatures ranging from 285 to 340 °C were produced and compared to injection coal regarding their chemical and mechanical properties. The critical conveyability in a standard dense-phase pneumatic conveying system was demonstrated with a sample of pilot-scale high-temperature torrefaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Biomass Pyrolysis and High Value Utilization of Pyrolytic Carbon)

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19 pages, 4968 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Co-Pyrolysis of Plastic Waste and Lignin: A Pathway for Enhanced Hydrocarbon Recovery

by Vilmantė Kudelytė, Justas Eimontas, Rolandas Paulauskas and Nerijus Striūgas

Energies 2025, 18(2), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18020275 - 9 Jan 2025

Viewed by 523

Abstract

Various plastics and biomass wastes, such as polypropylene (PP), low- or high-density polyethylene (LDPE/HDPE), and lignin, have become some of the most concerning wastes nowadays. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the possibility of applying thermochemical processes for the valorization of these materials. The experiments were carried out using a thermogravimetric analyzer on individual plastic and lignin samples and their mixtures at different mass ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4. The gaseous products evolved during the pyrolysis process were analyzed by combined thermogravimetric and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) and chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to analyze the functional groups and chemical composition of the obtained pyrolysis products. The results showed that the main functional groups of lignin monitored by TG-FTIR were aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, while all plastics showed the same results for hydrocarbons. The investigation confirmed that mixing these types of plastics with lignin at different mass ratios led to increased recovery of higher-value-added products. Py-GC/MS analysis showed that the greatest results of compound recovery were achieved with lignin and LDPE/HDPE mixtures at 600 °C. At this temperature and with a mass ratio of 1:3, the plastic’s radicals enhanced the depolymerization of lignin, encouraging its wider decomposition to hydrocarbons that can be applied for the production of value-added chemicals and bio-based energy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Biomass Pyrolysis and High Value Utilization of Pyrolytic Carbon)

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18 pages, 2661 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

High-Energy-Density Hydrochar and Bio-Oil from Hydrothermal Processing of Spent Coffee Grounds—Experimental Investigation

by Mariusz Wądrzyk, Jakub Katerla, Rafał Janus, Marek Lewandowski, Marek Plata and Łukasz Korzeniowski

Energies 2024, 17(24), 6446; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17246446 - 21 Dec 2024

Viewed by 573

Abstract

Spent coffee grounds (SCGs), a by-product of coffee brewing, have high application potential. However, their high moisture content complicates conventional conversion without energy-intensive drying. This study explores a new route to convert SCGs to high-carbon bioproducts, such as hydrochar and bio-oil, through hydrothermal processing. The effect of the processing variables, i.e., temperature, residence time, and the application of the binary solvent as a reaction medium, on the distribution of the resultant bioproducts was investigated. The quality of the fabricated bioproducts was analyzed by means of instrumental techniques such as EA, ATR-FTIR, GC-MS, and GC-TCD-FID. Two dominant fractions were liquid bio-oil and solid hydrochar. The highest char yield (39 wt.%) was observed under milder conditions (low T and short residence times), while more severe conditions led to an increase in bio-oil formation, which reached a maximum of 46 wt.%. The resulting bio-oils were of similar quality, presenting high carbon content (71–74 wt.%) and energetic values (approximately 35 MJ/kg). Also, hydrochars showed a noticeable energy densification compared to raw materials, where the C content and HHV reached up to 73.8 wt.% and 30 MJ/kg, respectively. The addition of co-solvent to water improves the bio-oil yield as a result of the enhanced stabilization of reactive intermediates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Biomass Pyrolysis and High Value Utilization of Pyrolytic Carbon)

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14 pages, 1778 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Technological Prospects of Biochar Derived from Viticulture Waste: Characterization and Application Perspectives

by Veronica D’Eusanio, Antonio Lezza, Biagio Anderlini, Daniele Malferrari, Marcello Romagnoli and Fabrizio Roncaglia

Energies 2024, 17(14), 3421; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17143421 - 11 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 989

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions has driven the exploration of converting viticulture residues into biochar. This study investigates the potential technological applications of biochar as a filler for the production of electrically conductive composite materials, suitable to Bipolar Plate (BP) manufacturing. Grape seeds (GSs), defatted grape seeds (DGSs), wood stems (WSs), and whole grape seeds (WGSs) were converted into biochar samples through low-temperature (300 °C) pyrolysis for 3 or 24 h. The composition and thermal stability of biochar were evaluated through thermogravimetric analysis (TG), which provided valuable insights into interpreting the in-plane conductivity (IPC) values of the BP samples. Pyrolyzed GS and DGS biochar samples demonstrated enhanced thermal stability and conferred higher IPC values compared to WS counterparts. This indicates a clear correlation between the formation of carbon-rich structures during pyrolysis and overall electrical conductivity. In contrast, pyrolyzed WGSs produced BP samples with lower IPC values due to the presence of lipids, which were not effectively degraded by the low-temperature pyrolysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Biomass Pyrolysis and High Value Utilization of Pyrolytic Carbon)

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29 pages, 4865 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of the Impact of Biochar Application on Foaming Slags with Varied Compositions in Electric Arc Furnace-Based Steel Production

by Lina Kieush and Johannes Schenk

Energies 2023, 16(17), 6325; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16176325 - 31 Aug 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1556

Abstract

This paper investigates the influence of biochar, either as an individual component or in combination with high-temperature coke, on the slag foaming behavior. High-temperature coke serves as a reference. Three scenarios were considered to study the slag foaming behavior, each characterized by different slag chemical compositions. The results indicate that biochar can promote steady foaming for specific slags when the basicity (CaO/SiO₂) falls within a range of 1.2 to 3.4. Experimental findings also reveal that stable foaming can be achieved when a mixture containing biochar and coke with a ratio of 1:1 is employed, with a minimum slag basicity of 1.0 and FeO content of 25 wt.%. The foaming range obtained using different FeO contents (15 wt.% to 40 wt.%) in the mixture surpasses the range observed with the individual application of coke or biochar. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that unrelated to the carbon source applied, the general pattern was that the phases larnite (Ca₂SiO₄) or dicalcium silicate were detected for slag foams with high basicity. Monticellite (CaMgSiO₄) and magnesium iron oxide (Fe₂MgO₄) were predominant in slag foam samples, with the highest MgO content. The presence of monticellite and merwinite (Ca₃MgSi₂O₈) occurred in samples with the lowest basicity. Eventually, the application of the mixture of coke and biochar showed the potential to obtain stable foaming across a wide range of slag compositions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Biomass Pyrolysis and High Value Utilization of Pyrolytic Carbon)

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22 pages, 3498 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sewage Sludge Gasification Process Optimization for Combined Heat and Power Generation

by Alberto Carotenuto, Simona Di Fraia, Nicola Massarotti, Szymon Sobek, M. Rakib Uddin, Laura Vanoli and Sebastian Werle

Energies 2023, 16(12), 4742; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16124742 - 15 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2392

Abstract

This work aims to assess the effect of the operating parameters of the gasifying agent preheating temperature and equivalence ratio (ER) on the conversion of sewage sludge (SS) to syngas through gasification and combined heat and power (CHP) generation. A novel gasification model was simulated in Aspen Plus to represent a fixed-bed updraft gasifier to generate syngas from SS through an equilibrium approach restricted by temperature. The novelty of this work is that the model was developed by applying the gasifying agent preheating temperature as an operating variable instead of the gasification temperature. It was calibrated by using a set of experimental values and then validated by comparing the numerical results with the experimental outcomes related to nine different operating conditions of air preheating temperatures and ER. A good agreement between the simulation and experimental results was observed. The optimum gasification process parameters of the air preheating temperature and ER were predicted to be 150 °C and 0.2, respectively. The CHP generation potentiality of SS was assessed to be 2.54 kW/kg SS as dry solids (DS), of which 0.81 kW was electrical and the remainder was thermal power. The conversion of SS to CHP through the proposed treatment can reduce 0.59 kg CO₂/kg SS as DS emissions compared with that of natural gas combustion to generate a similar quantity of energy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Biomass Pyrolysis and High Value Utilization of Pyrolytic Carbon)

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25 pages, 14686 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Evaluation of Slag Foaming Behavior Using Renewable Carbon Sources in Electric Arc Furnace-Based Steel Production

by Lina Kieush, Johannes Schenk, Andrii Koveria, Andrii Hrubiak, Horst Hopfinger and Heng Zheng

Energies 2023, 16(12), 4673; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16124673 - 12 Jun 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2928

Abstract

The influence of different carbon sources, including anthracite, calcined petroleum coke, three samples of high-temperature coke, biochar, and a mixture of 50 wt.% biochar and 50 wt.% coke, on slag foaming behavior was studied. The slag’s composition was set to FeO-CaO-Al₂O₃-MgO-SiO₂, and the temperature for slag foaming was 1600 °C. The effect of the carbon sources was evaluated using foaming characteristics (foam height, foam volume, relative foaming height, and gas fraction), X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical analysis of the slag foams, Mossbauer spectroscopy, observation by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) mapping. Different foaming phenomena were found among conventional sources, biochar as a single source, and the mixture of coke and biochar. Biochar showed the most inferior foaming characteristics compared to the other studied carbon sources. Nevertheless, the slag foaming process was improved and showed slag foaming characteristics similar to results obtained using conventional carbon sources when the mixture of 50 wt.% coke and 50 wt.% biochar was used. The XRD analysis revealed a difference between the top and bottom of the slag foams. In almost all cases, a maghemite crystalline phase was detected at the top of the slag foams, indicating oxidation; metallic iron was found at the bottom. Furthermore, a difference in the slag foam (mixture of coke and biochar) was found in the presence of such crystalline phases as magnesium iron oxide (Fe₂MgO₄) and magnetite (Mg₀.₄Fe₂.₉₆O₄). Notwithstanding the carbon source applied, a layer between the foam slag and the crucible wall was found in many samples. Based on the SEM/EDS and XRD results, it was assumed this layer consists of gehlenite (Ca₂(Al(AlSi)O₇) and two spinels: magnesium aluminate (MgAl₂O₄) and magnesium iron oxide (Fe₂MgO₄). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Biomass Pyrolysis and High Value Utilization of Pyrolytic Carbon)

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20 pages, 3852 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Dual-Chamber Pyrolizer for Biochar Production from Agricultural Waste in Sri Lanka

by W. A. M. A. N. Illankoon, Chiara Milanese, Anurudda Karunarathna Karunarathna, A. M. Y. W. Alahakoon, Puhulwella G. Rathnasiri, Maria Medina-Llamas, Maria Cristina Collivignarelli and Sabrina Sorlini

Energies 2023, 16(4), 1819; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16041819 - 11 Feb 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4526

Abstract

This study investigates the design and development of a pyrolysis reactor for batch-type biochar production from rice husks. The main objective is to develop an appropriate technology to regulate pyrolysis temperature and biomass residence time that can be easily operated under field and household conditions with minimal operational and technical requirements. The designed novel dual-chamber reactor comprises two concentrical metal cylinders and a syngas circulation system. The outer cylinder is for energy generation and the inner one is for pyrolysis. Temperature profiles, energy exchanges, syngas production, and the physicochemical characteristics of biochar were obtained to determine the performance of the reactor. Different trials were carried out to obtain different pyrolysis temperatures under constant amounts of feedstock and fuel. The temperature was monitored continuously at three predetermined reactor heights, the temperature profile varied from 380 °C to 1000 °C. The biochar yield was 49% with an average production rate of 1.8 ± 0.2 kg h⁻¹. The reactor consumed 11 ± 0.1 kg of rice husk as feedstock and 6 ± 1 kg h⁻¹ of wood as fuel. The gaseous products from the pyrolysis were CH₄, CO₂, H₂, CO, and C_nH_m, which contributed 23.3 ± 2.3 MJ m⁻³ of energy as fuel for the pyrolysis process. The specific surface area of the biochar was 182 m² g⁻¹. The achieved operational capacity and thermal efficiency of the reactor show biochar production is a suitable option to convert discarded biomass into a value-added product that can potentially be used in several environmental applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Biomass Pyrolysis and High Value Utilization of Pyrolytic Carbon)

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27 pages, 9067 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on Bio-Coke Production—The Influence of Bio-Components Addition on Coke-Making Blend Properties

by Michał Rejdak, Małgorzata Wojtaszek-Kalaitzidi, Grzegorz Gałko, Bartosz Mertas, Tomasz Radko, Robert Baron, Michał Książek, Sten Yngve Larsen, Marcin Sajdak and Stavros Kalaitzidis

Energies 2022, 15(18), 6847; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15186847 - 19 Sep 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6190

Abstract

Due to global warming, technologies reducing CO₂ emissions in the metallurgical industry are being sought. One possibility is to use bio-coke as a substitute for classic coke made of 100% fossil coal. Bio-coke can be produced on the basis of coal with the addition of substances of biomass origin. Blends for the production of bio-coke should have appropriate coke-making properties to ensure the appropriate quality of bio-coke. The article presents the results of the research on the influence of the addition (up to 20%) of bio-components of different origins to the coke blend on its coke-making properties, i.e., Gieseler Fluidity, Arnu—Audibert Dilatation and Roga Index. The bio-components used in the research were raw and thermally processed waste biomass of different origins (forestry: beech and alder woodchips; sawmill: pine sawdust; and the food industry: hazelnut shells and olive kernels) and commercial charcoal. Studies have shown that both the amount of additive and the type of additive affect the obtained coking properties. There was a decrease in fluidity, dilatation and Roga Index values, with more favorable results obtained for the addition of carbonized biomass and for additives with a higher apparent density. A regressive mathematical model on the influence of the share of the additive and its properties (oxygen content and apparent density) on the percentage decrease in fluidity was also developed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Biomass Pyrolysis and High Value Utilization of Pyrolytic Carbon)

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