Open AccessBio-oil production from dry sewage sludge by fast pyrolysis in an electrically-heated fluidized bed reactor
Author(s) -
Renato O. Arazo,
Divine Angela D. Genuino,
Mark Daniel G. de Luna,
Sergio C. Capareda
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
sustainable environment research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 29
ISSN - 2468-2039
DOI - 10.1016/j.serj.2016.11.010
Subject(s) - pyrolysis , sewage sludge , fluidized bed , pulp and paper industry , biofuel , waste management , heat of combustion , pyrolysis oil , environmental science , gasoline , sewage treatment , biomass (ecology) , chemistry , combustion , environmental engineering , organic chemistry , agronomy , engineering , biology
The optimization of bio-oil produced from sewage sludge using fast pyrolysis in a fluidized bed reactor was investigated. Effects of temperature, sludge particle size and vapor residence time on bio-oil properties, such as yield, high heating value (HHV) and moisture content were evaluated through experimental and statistical analyses. Characterization of the pyrolysis products (bio-oil and biogas) was also done. Optimum conditions produced a bio-oil product with an HHV that is nearly twice as much as lignocellulosic-derived bio-oil, and with properties comparable to heavy fuel oil. Contrary to generally acidic bio-oil, the sludge-derived bio-oil has almost neutral pH which could minimize the pipeline and engine corrosions. The Fourier Transform Infrared and gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry analyses of bio-oil showed a dominant presence of gasoline-like compounds. These results demonstrate that fast pyrolysis of sewage sludge from domestic wastewater treatment plant is a favorable technology to produce biofuels for various applications