Microwave pyrolysis coupled with conventional pre-pyrolysis of the stalk for syngas and biochar

The study presented a novel approach microwave pyrolysis coupled conventional pre-pyrolysis (MCCP) to dispose of the stalk for syngas and biochar. Impacts of preheating temperature (250 ∼ 450 °C) on pyrolysis property and products characteristics were investigated. Compared with microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP), the initial time for rapid temperature ramp in MCCP was distinctly advanced from 124 s to within 20 s; the biochar yields significantly increased from 24.19% to 33.24%, and the H2 content of syngas in the second stage reached up to 64.65%. The biochar from MCCP had higher carbon content (greater than 70%), carbon retention (greater than 50%), and BET surface area (141.69 m2/g) than MAP. A high degree of aromatization and complete carbon skeleton structure was observed in the biochar from MCCP. Finally, a mobile application system based on MCCP was proposed, increasing the energy efficiency from 13.5 ∼ 27% (MAP) to 58.5 ∼ 76.5%.