Role of calcium ion in moso bamboo pyrolysis under microwave irradiation

The calcium ion-exchange moso bamboo was subjected to microwave heating to investigate into the influence of calcium ion on its pyrolysis. The dependence of the heating method on the pyrolysis behavior was also researched. The calcium-loaded samples gave very different pyrolysis behaviors from that of the demineralized sample based on the results of thermogravimetric analysis. The calcium ion was found to facilitate the production of the solid and gaseous products at the expense of bio-oil. The relative contents of 3,5-Dimethoxyacetophenone and levoglucosan in bio-oil were increased from 15.732% to 23.572% and 3.465% to 29.642%, respectively, by the introduction of calcium ion into the samples. The calcium ion exhibited a positive effect on the volume concentrations of CO2 and H2 companied with the decrease in those of CH4 and CO. The catalytic influence of the calcium ion became more outstanding under microwave condition than conventional condition. •Calcium ion was favorable to the productions of gaseous product and char.•Calcium ion increased obviously the contents of sugars and phenols.•Calcium ion increased the volumetric contents of CO2 and H2.•Microwave heating made the calcium catalytic effect become more outstanding.