Towards a mechanistic understanding of particle shrinkage during biomass pyrolysis via synchrotron X-ray microtomography and in-situ radiography

Journal article


Barr, M. R., Jervis, R., Zhang, Y., Bodey, A. J., Rau, C., Shearing, P. R., Brett, D. J. L., Titirici, M.-M. and Volpe, R. (2021). Towards a mechanistic understanding of particle shrinkage during biomass pyrolysis via synchrotron X-ray microtomography and in-situ radiography. Scientific Reports. 11, p. 2656. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80228-x
AuthorsBarr, M. R., Jervis, R., Zhang, Y., Bodey, A. J., Rau, C., Shearing, P. R., Brett, D. J. L., Titirici, M.-M. and Volpe, R.
Abstract

Accurate modelling of particle shrinkage during biomass pyrolysis is key to the production of biochars with specific morphologies. Such biochars represent sustainable solutions to a variety of adsorption-dependent environmental remediation challenges. Modelling of particle shrinkage during biomass pyrolysis has heretofore been based solely on theory and ex-situ experimental data. Here we present the first in-situ phase-contrast X-ray imaging study of biomass pyrolysis. A novel reactor was developed to enable operando synchrotron radiography of fixed beds of pyrolysing biomass. Almond shell particles experienced more bulk shrinkage and less change in porosity than did walnut shell particles during pyrolysis, despite their similar composition. Alkaline pretreatment was found to reduce this difference in feedstock behaviour. Ex-situ synchrotron X-ray microtomography was performed to study the effects of pyrolysis on pore morphology. Pyrolysis led to a redistribution of pores away from particle surfaces, meaning newly formed surface area may be less accessible to adsorbates.

KeywordsPyrolysis; Particle Shrinkage; In-Situ Imaging; Radiography; Tomography
Year2021
JournalScientific Reports
Journal citation11, p. 2656
PublisherNature Research
ISSN2045-2322
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80228-x
Web address (URL)https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-80228-x
Publication dates
Online29 Jan 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted16 Dec 2020
Deposited17 Aug 2023
Publisher's version
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File Access Level
Open
Accepted author manuscript
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File Access Level
Controlled
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