Experimental study on microwave pyrolysis of eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves: a promising approach for bio-oil recovery

Abstract

Eucalyptus species are extensively cultivated trees commonly used for timber production, firewood, paper manufacturing, and essential nutrient extraction, while lacking consumption of the leaves increases soil acidity. The objective of this study was to recover bio-oil through microwave pyrolysis of eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves. The effects of microwave power (450, 550, 650, 750, and 850 W), pyrolysis temperature (500, 550, 600, 650, and 700 °C), and silicon carbide amount (10, 25, 40, 55, and 70 g) on the products yields and bio-oil constituents were investigated. The yields of bio-oil, gas, and residue varied within the ranges of 19.8–39.25, 33.75–46.7, and 26.0–33.5 wt %, respectively. The optimal bio-oil yield of 39.25 wt % was achieved at 650 W, 600 °C, and 40 g. The oxygenated derivatives, aromatic compounds, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and phenols constituted 40.24–74.25, 3.25–23.19, 0.3–9.77, and 1.58–7.75 area % of the bio-oils, respectively. Acetic acid (8.17–38.18 area %) was identified as a major bio-oil constituent, and hydrocarbons with carbon numbers C₁ and C₂ were found to be abundant. The experimental results demonstrate the potential of microwave pyrolysis as an eco-friendly and efficient way for converting eucalyptus waste into valuable bio-oil, contributing to the sustainable utilization of biomass resources.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

bio-oil recovery / eucalyptus leaves / microwave pyrolysis

References

[1] Ferdan T , Pavlas M , Nevrlý V , Šomplák R , Stehlík P . Greenhouse gas emissions from thermal treatment of non-recyclable municipal waste. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2018, 12(4): 815–831

[2] Wu J , Tang G , Wang R , Yanwei S . Multi-objective optimization for China’s power carbon emission reduction by 2035. Journal of Thermal Science, 2019, 28(2): 184–194

[3] Fang L , Huang T , Lu H , Wu X L , Chen Z , Yang H , Wang S , Tang Z , Li Z , Hu B , Wang X . Biochar-based materials in environmental pollutant elimination, H₂ production and CO₂ capture applications. Biochar, 2023, 5(1): 42

[4] Chen J , Dai L , Mataya D , Cobb K , Chen P , Ruan R . Enhanced sustainable integration of CO₂ utilization and wastewater treatment using microalgae in circular economy concept. Bioresource Technology, 2022, 366: 128188

[5] Pye S , Li F G , Price J , Fais B . Achieving net-zero emissions through the reframing of UK national targets in the post-Paris Agreement era. Nature Energy, 2017, 2(3): 1–7

[6] IEA. Energy Statistics Data Browser, IEA, Paris. Available at IEA website (2022)

[7] Zhang Y , Wang X . Geographical spatial distribution and productivity dynamic change of eucalyptus plantations in China. Scientific Reports, 2021, 11(1): 19764

[8] Elli E F , Sentelhas P C , Bender F D . Impacts and uncertainties of climate change projections on eucalyptus plantations productivity across Brazil. Forest Ecology and Management, 2020, 474: 118365

[9] Nasir M J , Akhtar W , Oad V K . Spatial distribution of eucalyptus plantation and its impact on the depletion of groundwater resources of tehsil Swat Ranizai, District Malakand. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 2023, 16(4): 245

[10] Sharma A , Kumar A A , Mohanty B , Sawarkar A N . Critical insights into pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of poplar and eucalyptus wood sawdust: physico-chemical characterization, kinetic triplets, reaction mechanism, and thermodynamic analysis. Renewable Energy, 2023, 210: 321–334

[11] de Souza Kulmann M S , de Jesus Eufrade-Junior H , Dick G , Schumacher M V , de Azevedo G B , Azevedo G T D O S , Guerra S P S . Belowground biomass harvest influences biomass production, stock, export and nutrient use efficiency of second rotation Eucalyptus plantations. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2022, 161: 106476

[12] Kabir M G , Wang Y , Abuhena M , Azim M F , Al-Rashid J , Rasul N M , Mandal P , Maitra P . Maitra P. A bio-sustainable approach for reducing eucalyptus tree-caused agricultural ecosystem hazards employing Trichoderma bio-sustained spores and mycorrhizal networks. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2023, 13: 1071392

[13] Li M , Yu Z , Bin Y , Huang Z , He H , Zheng A , Ma X . Microwave-assisted pyrolysis of eucalyptus wood with MoO₃ and different nitrogen sources for coproducing nitrogen-rich bio-oil and char. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2022, 167: 105666

[14] Yu D , Jin G , Pang Y , Chen Y , Guo S , Shen S . Gas characteristics of pine sawdust catalyzed pyrolysis by additives. Journal of Thermal Science, 2021, 30(1): 333–342

[15] Kosanić T R , Ćeranić M B , Đurić S N , Grković V R , Milotić M M , Brankov S D . Experimental investigation of pyrolysis process of woody biomass mixture. Journal of Thermal Science, 2014, 23(3): 290–296

[16] Leng L , Yang L , Lei X , Zhang W , Ai Z , Yang Z , Zhan H , Yang J , Yuan X , Peng H . . Machine learning predicting and engineering the yield, N content, and specific surface area of biochar derived from pyrolysis of biomass. Biochar, 2022, 4(1): 63

[17] Zhang X , Yang X , Yuan X , Tian S , Wang X , Zhang H , Han L . Effect of pyrolysis temperature on composition, carbon fraction and abiotic stability of straw biochars: correlation and quantitative analysis. Carbon Research, 2022, 1(1): 17

[18] Shiferaw Y , Tedla A , Mellese C , Mengistu A , Debay B , Selamawi Y , Merene E , Awol N . Conversion of coffee residue waste and Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract into an alternative solid fuel. Energy Sources. Part A, Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 2018, 40(7): 780–786

[19] Dai L , Wang Y , Liu Y , He C , Ruan R , Yu Z , Jiang L , Zeng Z , Wu Q . A review on selective production of value-added chemicals via catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. Science of the Total Environment, 2020, 749: 142386

[20] Kundu D , Sharma P , Bhattacharya S , Gupta K , Sengupta S , Shang J . Study of methylene blue dye removal using biochar derived from leaf and stem of Lantana camara L. Carbon Research, 2024, 3(1): 1–14

[21] Zhuang Z , Liu Y , Wei W , Shi J , Jin H . Preparation of biochar adsorption material from walnut shell by supercritical CO₂ pretreatment. Biochar, 2024, 6(1): 1–18

[22] Iglesias S P , Miyazaki M R , Mariano A P , Franco T T . Techno-economic assessment of bio-oil produced from Eucalyptus forestry residues. Industrial Crops and Products, 2021, 171: 113936

[23] Zhang Y , Chen P , Liu S , Peng P , Min M , Cheng Y , Anderson E , Zhou N , Fan L , Liu C . . Effects of feedstock characteristics on microwave-assisted pyrolysis—a review. Bioresource Technology, 2017, 230: 143–151

[24] Allende S , Brodie G , Jacob M V . Breakdown of biomass for energy applications using microwave pyrolysis: a technological review. Environmental Research, 2023, 226: 115619

[25] Shang H , Ye P , Yue Y , Wang T , Zhang W , Omar S , Wang J . Experimental and theoretical study of microwave enhanced catalytic hydrodesulfurization of thiophene in a continuous-flow reactor. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2019, 13(4): 744–758

[26] Zheng A , Xia S , Cao F , Liu S , Yang X , Zhao Z , Tian Y , Li H . Directional valorization of eucalyptus waste into value-added chemicals by a novel two-staged controllable pyrolysis process. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2021, 404: 127045

[27] Omar S , Yang Y , Wang J . A review on catalytic & non-catalytic bio-oil upgrading in supercritical fluids. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2021, 15(1): 4–17

[28] Omar S , Alsamaq S , Yang Y , Wang J . Production of renewable fuels by blending bio-oil with alcohols and upgrading under supercritical conditions. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2019, 13(4): 702–717

[29] Singh R , Singh S , Kumar M . Impact of n-butanol as an additive with eucalyptus biodiesel-diesel blends on the performance and emission parameters of the diesel engine. Fuel, 2022, 277: 118178

[30] Mendoza-Martinez C , Sermyagina E , Saari J , Ramos V F , Vakkilainen E , Cardoso M , Rocha E P A . Fast oxidative pyrolysis of eucalyptus wood residues to replace fossil oil in pulp industry. Energy, 2023, 263: 126076

[31] Xu J , Tahmasebi A , Yu J . An experimental study on the formation of methoxyaromatics during pyrolysis of eucalyptus pulverulenta: yields and mechanisms. Bioresource Technology, 2016, 218: 743–750

[32] Singh R K , Shrivastava D K , Sarkar A , Chakraborty J P . Co-pyrolysis of eucalyptus and sodium polyacrylate: optimization and synergistic effect. Fuel, 2020, 277: 118115

[33] Ramadhan M L , Zarate S , Carrascal J , Osorio A F , Hidalgo J P . Effect of fuel bed size and moisture on the flammability of eucalyptus saligna leaves in cone calorimeter testing. Fire Safety Journal, 2021, 120: 103016

[34] Amutio M , Lopez G , Alvarez J , Olazar M , Bilbao J . Fast pyrolysis of eucalyptus waste in a conical spouted bed reactor. Bioresource Technology, 2015, 194: 225–232

[35] Joubert J E , Carrier M , Dahmen N , Stahl R , Knoetze J H . Inherent process variations between fast pyrolysis technologies: a case study on eucalyptus grandis. Fuel Processing Technology, 2015, 131: 389–395

[36] Kim K H , Kim T S , Lee S M , Choi D , Yeo H , Choi I G , Choi J W . Comparison of physicochemical features of biooils and biochars produced from various woody biomasses by fast pyrolysis. Renewable Energy, 2013, 50: 188–195

[37] Prakash P , Kamble L , Sheeba K N . Experimental studies on biomass pyrolysis using microwave radiation. Energy Sources. Part A, Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 2015, 37(24): 2675–2683

[38] Mushtaq F , Abdullah T A T , Mat R , Ani F N . Optimization and characterization of bio-oil produced by microwave assisted pyrolysis of oil palm shell waste biomass with microwave absorber. Bioresource Technology, 2015, 190: 442–450

[39] Venegas-Vásconez D , Arteaga-Pérez L E , Aguayo M G , Romero-Carrillo R , Guerrero V H , Tipanluisa-Sarchi L , Alejandro-Martín S . Analytical pyrolysis of pinus radiata and eucalyptus globulus: effects of microwave pretreatment on pyrolytic vapours composition. Polymers, 2023, 15(18): 3790

[40] Qu T , Guo W , Shen L , Xiao J , Zhao K . Experimental study of biomass pyrolysis based on three major components: hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2011, 50(18): 10424–10433

[41] Heidari A , Stahl R , Younesi H , Rashidi A , Troeger N , Ghoreyshi A A . Effect of process conditions on product yield and composition of fast pyrolysis of eucalyptus grandis in fluidized bed reactor. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 2014, 20(4): 2594–2602

[42] Mourant D , Lievens C , Gunawan R , Wang Y , Hu X , Wu L , Syed-Hassan S S A , Li C Z . Effects of temperature on the yields and properties of bio-oil from the fast pyrolysis of mallee bark. Fuel, 2013, 108: 400–408

[43] Schultz E L , Mullen C A , Boateng A A . Aromatic hydrocarbon production from eucalyptus urophylla pyrolysis over several metal-modified ZSM-5 catalysts. Energy Technology, 2017, 5(1): 196–204

[44] Xu J , Liao Y , Lin Y , Ma X , Yu Z . Study on catalytic pyrolysis of eucalyptus to produce aromatic hydrocarbons by Zn-Fe co-modified HZSM-5 catalysts. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2019, 139: 96–103

[45] Gullón B , Gullón P , Lú-Chau T A , Moreira M T , Lema J M , Eibes G . Optimization of solvent extraction of antioxidants from eucalyptus globulus leaves by response surface methodology: characterization and assessment of their bioactive properties. Industrial Crops and Products, 2017, 108: 649–659

[46] Yu Z , Jiang L , Wang Y , Li Y , Ke L , Yang Q , Peng Y , Xu J , Dai L , Wu Q . . Catalytic pyrolysis of woody oil over SiC foam-MCM41 catalyst for aromatic-rich bio-oil production in a dual microwave system. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020, 255: 120179

[47] Chen C , Tang J , Guo C , Huang H . Effect of composite additives on microwave-assisted pyrolysis of microalgae. Energy Sources. Part A, Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 2022, 44(1): 2261–2271

[48] Fan S , Zhang Y , Liu T , Fu W , Li B . Microwave-assisted pyrolysis of polystyrene for aviation oil production. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2022, 162: 105425

[49] Hu X , Gunawan R , Mourant D , Wang Y , Lievens C , Chaiwat W , Wu L , Li C Z . Esterification of bio-oil from Mallee (Eucalyptus loxophleba ssp. gratiae) leaves with a solid acid catalyst: conversion of the cyclic ether and terpenoids into hydrocarbons. Bioresource Technology, 2012, 123: 249–255

[50] Le G T , Mala P , Ratchahat S , Charinpanitkul T . Bio-based production of carbon nanotubes via co-pyrolysis of eucalyptus oil and ferrocene. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2021, 158: 105257

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the financial support provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52076049), Heilongjiang Province “Double First-class” Discipline Collaborative Innovation Achievement Project (Grant No. LJGXCG2023-080), Heilongjiang Provincial Key R&D Program (Grant No. 2023ZX02C05), and Heilongjiang Provincial Key R&D Program “Unveiling the Leader” Project (Grant No. 2023ZXJ02C04).

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2024 Higher Education Press