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

  • Muhammad Kashif 1 ,
  • Faizan Ahmad 1 ,
  • Weitao Cao 1 ,
  • Wenke Zhao 1 ,
  • Ehab Mostafa 2 ,
  • Yaning Zhang , 1
Expand
  • 1. School of Energy Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
  • 2. Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
ynzhang@hit.edu.cn

Received date: 28 Feb 2024

Accepted date: 09 Apr 2024

Copyright

2024 Higher Education Press

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.

Cite this article

Muhammad Kashif , Faizan Ahmad , Weitao Cao , Wenke Zhao , Ehab Mostafa , Yaning Zhang . Experimental study on microwave pyrolysis of eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves: a promising approach for bio-oil recovery[J]. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 2024 , 18(10) : 115 . DOI: 10.1007/s11705-024-2466-5

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).
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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

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

DOI

Outlines

/