Enhanced Co-Pyrolysis of Corn Stalk and Tar into Phenolic-Rich Biooil: Kinetic Analysis and Product Distributions

Abstract

This study explores the interaction between corn stalk and tar through co-pyrolysis, aiming to provide insights for the valorization of tar and biomass into phenolic-rich biooil. The study focuses on the thermal behavior analysis, pyrolysis kinetic, and product distributions during the co-pyrolysis process. The results demonstrate a significant interaction between tar and corn stalk during the co-pyrolysis process. Notably, the co-pyrolysis of tar and corn stalk with a ratio of 1:3 exhibits the most pronounced synergistic effect, enhancing the thermal decomposition of corn stalks. Kinetic modeling calculations reveal a reduction in activation energy for all mixing ratios, with a substantial decrease of 72.87 kJ/mol observed for the 1:3 tar-to-stalk ratio. Additionally, the distribution of pyrolysis products varies with different mixing ratios, with lower tar addition (ratio of tar to corn stalks = 1:3) favoring phenolic compound production (>70% of phenols in biooil). These findings contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between tar and corn stalk during co-pyrolysis, offering valuable insights for the efficient utilization of biomass resources.

Keywords: Corn stalk, Tar, Pyrolysis kinetics, Synergetic effect, Phenolic compounds