?Three-dimensional analysis of the pyrolysis behavior of solid fuel by ultra high-speed X-ray CT?

In this research, microscopic visualization of pyrolysis in woody biomass was conducted by using the BL20B2 beamline at ?SPring-8,? a large synchrotron radiation facility. Changes in shape and internal structure of the woody biomass were visualized by ultra high-speed CT. The samples were made of Japanese cypress wood; they had a height and a diameter of 5 mm. We used radiation as the heat source to achieve a high heat flux. When the heat flux was high, the samples expanded. Gaps were observed inside the samples. By comparing our results with the experimental results obtained under a low heat flux in a previous study, we could observe an entirely different aspect. Considering that the increase in pressure due to the rapid generation of pyrolysis gas created gaps in the samples, the samples were drilled, and experiments were performed on them. The hole in the center of the wood alone did not create an escape route for the pyrolysis gas, and the pyrolysis behavior was the same as that observed in the unprocessed wood. ? 2020 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.