Analytical pyrolysis of biomass

Using a micropyrolysis unit directly connected to a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC/FID), samples of biomass smaller than 500 micrograms are pyrolyzed and the resulting vapors are characterized. Previous research has demonstrated that vapors obtained from micropyrolysis have similar composition to liquids produced in laboratory-scale pyrolysis units. Due to the small scale and close representation to larger scale pyrolysis products, analytical pyrolysis allows for high-throughput screening to determine the effects of feedstock characteristics and process parameters on the resulting pyrolysis products.

Impact
Feedstock preparation techniques and pyrolysis operating conditions can be identified and developed that result in desirable, high-value compounds for fuel and chemical production.

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