Investigation of Fast Pyrolysis of Brassica Carinata in an Auger Type Reactor

Fast pyrolysis is one method of creating bio-oil from biomass such as native prairie grasses, corn stover, and other organic commercial and industrial byproducts. In this study, fast pyrolysis of Brassica carinata meal, or simply carinata meal, was performed in an auger-type reactor. The bio-oil produced in the reactor was collected and analyzed to determine the effects of reactor and condenser temperatures on the properties of the bio-oil produced. Five reactor temperatures and two condenser temperatures were investigated in this research. The rheological properties of the bio-oil samples were analyzed, water content was determined with the Karl Fisher method, energy content was measured with a bomb calorimeter, and acidity was determined using a total acid titration test. The aging characteristics of the bio-oil were also investigated at seven days, fourteen days, and twenty-eight days after the oil was created to determine what effect, if any, time had on the its properties. Preliminary results indicate that any reactor temperature above 500°C produces bio-oils of similar composition, although with changes in yield. In addition, the short-term aging results of the bio-oils have shown insignificant changes in total acid number, water content, and energy content.