Municipal sewage sludge/Biomass co-pyrolysis in a batch reactor: Physico-Chemical analysis of the products

Abstract

Municipal sewage sludge (MSS) was co-pyrolysed with sugarcane bagasse (SCB) (50 wt %) at 500 ⁰C in a batch reactor in the presence of nitrogen under atmospheric pressure to produce modified biooil. In comparison with only MSS pyrolysis, the yield of the biooil and gas improved by 100% and 14%, respectively. Furthermore, yield of char (residue) decreased by 42%. GC/MS analysis showed that the co-pyrolysis afforded a reduction of sulfur and nitrogen compound significantly. Physical characteristics demonstrated that MSS derived biooil exhibited alkaline nature, whereas, SCB shows acidic nature. Thus, pH of co-pyrolysis derived biooil increases. Moreover, water content is slightly increases. In contrast to this, density and viscosity marginally reduced. Such a property of biooil favors its use as a transport fuel. Thus, co-pyrolysis technique has a potential to modify the properties of biooil significantly.