Design and performance evaluation of a Pyrolysis Reactor for vegetable biomass conversion to usable energy

Abstract

This paper deals with the design of equipment for conversion of vegetable biomass wastes to usable energy. The procedures employed include the design stage, the construction stage and the testing one. After metallic construction, the pyrolysis reactor was insulated by firebrick to minimize heat losses and protect operators. The equipment designed was tested with Cashew nut shell, coconut shell, palm nuts hull, rice hull shell and cassava peel. The tests have shown that the five biomasses used are convertible into gas (84.61%, 98.67%, 72.31%, 73.08% and 78.47% respectively for Cashew shell, Coconut shell, Palm nuts hull, Rice hull shell and Cassava peel and coal (15.38%, 1.33%, 27.69%, 0% et 11% respectively for Cashew shell, Coconut shell, Palm nuts hull, Rice hull shell and Cassava peel). The Released energies are 156 MJ for Cashew shell, 135.72% for Coconut shell, 113.75% for Palm nuts hull, 89.7% for Rice hull shell and 117% for Cassava peel. The highest flame temperature was recorded as 763°C when Cashew nut shell was used.