The effect of combined pretreatments on the pyrolysis of corn stalk

Untreated corn stalk (CS), deionized water washed CS (WCS), aqueous phase bio-oil washed CS (LCS), and 5% acetic acid washed CS (CCS) were torrefied at 230, 260, and 290 degrees C. The influences of washing, torrefaction, and combined washing-torrefaction pretreatments on corn stalk pyrolysis were investigated. The combined pretreatments, especially aqueous phase bio-oil washing-torrefaction improved fuel properties of pretreated samples largely by increasing their volatile and hydrogen contents. Absorption peaks of O-H and C=O groups in combined pretreatment samples increased when torrefaction temperature increased. In addition, CO, H-2, and CH4 contents of pyrolysis gas increased, while CO2 decreased after combined pretreatments. The bio-oil yields from WCS290, LCS290, and CCS290 increased by 134.04%, 127.66%, and 129.79% respectively, compared with that from CS290. Similarly, their relative sugar contents (rich in levoglucosan) increased to 36.63%, 45.89%, and 52.34%, respectively. Aqueous phase oil washing-torrefaction is a promising pretreatment and acetic acid plays the most important role.