ENERGY AND MASS BALANCE IN THE PYROLYSIS PROCESS OF Eucalyptus WOOD

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the moisture content in the mass and energy balance of Eucalyptus wood during the pyrolysis process in a macro-lab scale. Two cylindrical specimens of 30 cm length, 12 cm diameter, and two pre-established moisture contents of 0.83% and 13%. The experiment was carried out in an electric oven, heating rate of 5^oC min^-1 and a final temperature of 500^oC. Non-condensable gases flow, and their respective masses and energetic potentials were estimated from the data provided by the software Macro Thermogravimetric connected to the oven. The moisture contents poorly influenced charcoal yields (30.2 e 30.4%). The most energetic non-condensable gases (2.549 MJ) during wood pyrolysis at 0.83% of moisture content, were produced. Water presence on wood decreases the concentration of the energetic compounds. About 53% of total energy was concentrated in the charcoal and 47% in sub-products. From this significant amount of sub-products, it is suggested to consider the mass balance and flow of energy compounds in further researches of integration and optimization technologies in both production and gas burning processes, aiming to generate new industrial mechanisms to improve yield and quality of these products.