Experimental investigation of corn cob pyrolysis

This paper presents experimental investigation of pyrolysis process of corn cob from Vojvodina (Republic of Serbia). The influence of temperature, reaction time, particle size, and heating rate on pyrolysis products yields was investigated. Studying of biomass pyrolysis kinetics led to the conclusion that thermogravimetry is an appropriate method for explaining decomposition of different biomass types. Experimental research showed that temperature increase leads to decrease in char yield and volatile yield. Mass yield of pyrolysis oil increased with higher heating rate. Methane volume fraction in pyrolysis gas increased with temperature increase, while the volume fraction of carbon dioxide decreased. Particle size affected the methane yield. It was shown that with the increase in particle size, the volume fraction of methane in pyrolysis gas decreased. Based on the char composition obtained after corn cob pyrolysis process, it was determined that char is rich in carbon (74.80%). Lower heating value of char was 26182.09 kJ/kg. High heating value of char contributes to economic justification for applying corn cob pyrolysis.