Microwave pyrolysis of distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) for biofuel production

Hanwu Lei; Shoujie Ren; Lu Wang; Quan Bu; James Julson; John Holladay; Roger Ruan

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.02.050

Microwave pyrolysis of distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) for biofuel production

Bioresour Technol. 2011 May;102(10):6208-13. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.02.050. Epub 2011 Feb 15.

Authors

Hanwu Lei¹, Shoujie Ren, Lu Wang, Quan Bu, James Julson, John Holladay, Roger Ruan

Affiliation

¹ Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Richland, WA 99354-1671, USA. hlei@tricity.wsu.edu

PMID: 21377870
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.02.050

Abstract

Microwave pyrolysis of distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) was investigated to determine the effects of pyrolytic conditions on the yields of bio-oil, syngas, and biochar. Pyrolysis process variables included reaction temperature, time, and power input. Microwave pyrolysis of DDGS was analyzed using response surface methodology to find out the effect of process variables on the biofuel (bio-oil and syngas) conversion yield and establish prediction models. Bio-oil recovery was in the range of 26.5-50.3 wt.% of the biomass. Biochar yields were 23.5-62.2% depending on the pyrolysis conditions. The energy content of DDGS bio-oils was 28 MJ/kg obtained at the 650°C and 8 min, which was about 66.7% of the heating value of gasoline. GC/MS analysis indicated that the biooil contained a series of important and useful chemical compounds: aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. At least 13% of DDGS bio-oil was the same hydrocarbon compounds found in regular unleaded gasoline.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Biofuels*
Edible Grain*
Hydrolysis
Microwaves*

Substances

Biofuels