LAUSR

Abstract This study focuses on the evaluation of soybean hulls as an alternative to obtain biofuels and bioproducts through pyrolysis. The study was carried out in three stages: 1) The physicochemical characteristics of the raw material were determined, 2) Yields of different pyrolysis products were obtained at 350, 400 and 600 °C; 3) The different obtained products (biochar, bio-oil and non-condensable gases) were characterized. The results obtained revealed that the soybean hulls used in this study present a 76% volatile mater and 2.3% ash. The highest pyrolysis yields obtained for bio-oil (40%) and non-condensable gases (36%) were achieved at 600 °C. The main compounds identified in the aqueous phase of bio-oil were acetic acid, furfural, furfural alcohol, 1,2-cyclopentadiene, among others. The organic phase of bio-oil presented a calorific power of 23.7 MJkg−1. Calorific power in the ranges 19–21 MJm−3 and 26.6–28.1 MJkg−1 were obtained for the biogas and the biochar obtained at different temperatures, respectively.