Characterization analysis of Poplar fluff pyrolysis products. Multi-component kinetic study

•Perspective biofuel for replacement of low energy lignites with HHV = 15.86 MJ kg−1.•Pyrolytic products were stimulated by decomposition of cellulose and lignin fractions.•Catalytic activities of mineral content and influencing the devolatilization kinetics.•The great abundance of PAH compounds was identified from carbonized material.•Promoted graphitization of bio-char where Al acts as a pulsar in acceleration process. This paper describes the pyrolysis of Poplar fluff (from Populus alba) using on-line apparatus, and carbonization process at 850 °C using the fixed bed reactor. Characteristics of pyrolysis products were examined. Elemental and chemical analyses were shown that Poplar fluff has higher energy content characterized by increased content of fibrous structure (particularly cellulose). Independent parallel reactions model very well describes devolatilization process. It was found that increased amount of extractives can significantly affect on increased release of light gaseous products, but declining hydrocarbons, mostly the alkanes. Liquid product is mainly composed of phenolics, aldehydes, acids, esters and ketones. The carbonization process produces the great abundance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s), where naphthalene is the most abundant. Mechanism for PAH’s formation was suggested. This study represents the first step in a much wider and more comprehensive way in thermal conversion processes of this type of fuel.