Total condensable effluents yield in slow pyrolysis of bagasse briquettes

A full 2(3) experimental factorial design approach was applied to obtain a mathematical model relating the total condensable effluents in slow pyrolysis of bagasse briquettes to three independent variables. These were apparent density of pressed bagasse briquettes (231 and 371 kg/m(3)), highest pyrolysis temperature (400 and 450 degrees C) and residence time at highest pyrolysis temperature (0 and 30 min), Detailed data processing to obtain a model as well as the model's statistical evaluation are shown. The conclusions are that the studied response depends on all three factors, although it is believed that the particular conditions of the pyrolysis installation used could be the cause of the significant result found for the residence time variable. It is inferred that measurable amounts of very low boiling organic compounds are present in the bagasse's liquid effluents. These volatile substances should require effluents' cooling devices working at temperatures well below 0 degrees C. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.