Setup of an experimental system to study the gas phase kinetics in pyrolysis processing

The possibility of converting solid and liquid to gaseous fuels is of great importance for the development of more efficient and cleaner processes. This paper presents an approach to kinetic modelling of gas phase reactions with experimental data obtained at 500°C with mixtures of heptane and water in different ratios. The aim of the work was to obtain information about kinetics of the homogeneous chemical reactions which take place in the gas phase during wet (in the presence of water vapour as the oxidizing agent) biomass conversion processing, with particular interest towards pyrolysis. The experimental work was carried out by means of a continuous heated stainless steel reactor placed inside a muffle oven and maintained at a constant temperature; the outgoing gas, after separation of the condensable components, was analysed by an in-line gas chromatograph. The experimental apparatus showed to be able for future operations at different temperatures and with other hydrocarbons and organic compounds, both pure and in a mixture; the obtained data will be integrated with those coming from a parallel study by the same authors about the wet pyrolysis of biomass for gaseous production.