Detailed characterization of the pyrolytic liquids obtained by pyrolysis of sawdust

Pyrolysis of sawdust was conducted in a tubular reactor. Yields of pyrolytic liquid, gas, and char were calculated. Pyrolytic liquids were characterized by using 1H NMR, FTIR and elemental analysis. Pyrolytic liquids were diluted with water (1:10) since the intermediate compounds such as acids, aldehydes, furfurals and phenols were highly water-soluble. The acid, aldehyde, and furfural contents of the aqueous phases were analyzed by using an ion chromatograph equipped with and high-performance liquid chromatography pump, while amounts of the phenols were determined by using UV–vis spectrometer. The results show that pyrolytic liquids contain mainly aliphatic structures (55–59 vol%). The acetic (13–31 mg/g sawdust) and formic acid (8–18 mg/g sawdust) amounts of the pyrolytic liquids found are significantly higher than those of other intermediates.