Catalytic fast-pyrolysis process design and equipment setup for converting palm oil empty fruit bunch biomass to bio-oil

Abstract

Fast-Pyrolysis is a well-known technology for breaking down molecular composition of organic materials into gas and liquid forms by mean of high temperature treatment in the absence of oxygen. Reactors accommodating this means of transformation has been variously designed and implemented in bench-scale as well as pilot and commercial scales. In this paper, we will discuss on the process design that fulfilled the catalytic fast-pyrolysis method as well as the equipment setup to realize this process of a pilot scale production. The design is to realize targeted heating process temperature to maintain at 320 °C, mix material with specified catalyst while occupying a 20 feet size container unit for space optimization. A shredder, industrial mixer, reactor and condenser are placed adjacently in the unit. Prior production test ran achieved desired temperature of both reactor and condenser.