Enthalpy for Pyrolysis for Several Types of Biomass

This study utilizes a pilot-scale pyrolysis system to determine the enthalpy for pyrolysis for Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), Western White Pine (Pinus monticola), corn stover, and oat hulls. The analytical method uses an energy balance on a pyrolytic reactor. The energy required is measured at a fast pyrolysis reactor temperature near 500 °C using nitrogen as an inert fluidizing agent in a fluidized bed reactor. On a dry basis, the energy necessary to pyrolyze these fuels varies between 0.8 ± 0.2 MJ/kg for oat hulls and 1.6 ± 0.3 MJ/kg for pine.