• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: Simulation of a Continuous Pyrolysis Reactor for a Heat Self-Sufficient Process and Liquid Fuel Production
  • Contributor: Chavando, Antonio; Silva, Valter Bruno; Tarelho, Luís A. C.; Cardoso, João Sousa; Eusebio, Daniela
  • Published: MDPI AG, 2024
  • Published in: Energies, 17 (2024) 14, Seite 3526
  • Language: English
  • DOI: 10.3390/en17143526
  • ISSN: 1996-1073
  • Origination:
  • Footnote:
  • Description: This study investigates the potential of utilizing pyrolysis byproducts, including char and non-condensable gases, as an energy source to promote autothermal pyrolysis. A total of six pyrolysis experiments were conducted at three distinct cracking temperatures, namely, 450 °C, 500 °C, and 550 °C. The experiments utilized two types of biomasses, i.e., 100% pine chips and 75% pine chips mixed with 25% refuse-derived fuels (RDF). The findings from the experiments were subsequently incorporated into a process simulation conducted on Aspen Plus for an energy balance and a techno-economic analysis. The results of the experiments revealed that the energy produced by the byproducts utilizing only pine chips is 1.453 kW/kg, which is enough to fulfill the energy demand of the pyrolysis reactor (1.298 kW/kg). However, when 25% of RDF is added, the energy demand of the reactor decreases to 1.220 kW/kg, and the produced energy increases to 1.750 kW/kg. Furthermore, adding RDF increases bio-oil’s lower heating value (LHV). The techno-economic study proposed three scenarios: optimistic, conservative, and tragic. The optimistic has a payback period (PBP) of 7.5 years and a positive net present value (NPV). However, the other two scenarios were unfavorable, resulting in unfeasibility.
  • Access State: Open Access