Sustainable exploitation of salix via high temperature steam pyrolysis for energy production and added value materials

Salix is an abundant plant as the feedstock of biomass energy in many countries all over the world. It has an extremely rapid growing rate, and it can be considered as a sustainable raw material wood resource. In this study pyrolysis of salix in the presence inert atmosphere (N₂) and high temperature steam (which combines the benefits of High Temperature Steam Gasification (HTSG) and steam pyrolysis) and characterization of products has been carried out. Evaluation of experimental results showed that faster devolatilization and char with increased surface area obtained in the presence of high temperature steam comparing to N₂ while higher liquid production obtained at 823 K in the presence of high temperature steam. Analysis of the obtained liquid revealed that the H/C and O/C ratios in the liquid are 1.5 and 0.16 respectively. Further more gas composition during high temperature steam pyrolysis differs from gas composition derived from N₂ pyrolysis which indicates interaction of steam with vapors and solid species even at low treatment temperatures. The derived products´ yields and characteristics indicate possible exploitation of derived char as activate carbon precursor or reducing agent in metallurgical processes or solid fuel for gasification and combustion processes. Liquid fraction composition makes it suitable for exploitation as liquid fuel and/or chemical feedstock.