LAUSR

Application of solar energy for biomass pyrolysis is a promising technology for converting biomass to energy, fuels, and other chemical substances with neutral CO2 emissions. In comparison to the conventional pyrolysis process, the biomass conversion efficiency can be greatly improved if the pyrolysis heat is supplied from a concentrated solar system, which can be achieved at reasonably moderate solar radiations. This paper discusses fast pyrolysis of chicken litter at different temperatures (560, 760, 860, and 900 °C) supplied from a solar dish of maximum flux density of 69 087 W/m2 under 1000 W/m2 of net (all wave) solar radiation. Yields of the different product fractions (gas, liquid bio-oil, and solid biochar) were assessed using different techniques. The gas yield increased with the temperature from 45.3 wt % at 560 °C to its maximum value of 58.6 wt % at 860 °C. Gas chromatograph results showed CO2, CO, and CH4 as the dominant gases, with contents of 30.2, 22.4, and 2.4 wt %, respectively. When the...