Articles tagged with Pyrolysis
Researchers use AI to overcome challenges in plastic pyrolysis, transforming waste into valuable fuels and chemicals. Key scientific breakthroughs include kinetic parameter identification and AI-driven reactor design.
The ASPECT program will provide up to $58 million for bench-scale and pre-pilot scale projects to advance alternative or waste feedstock projects. SwRI will focus on scaling technologies beyond proof of concept and systems integration.
Researchers found that dissolved black carbon's electron-shuttle ability depends on both redox activity and diffusivity, which can alter microbial metabolism and contaminant transformation rates. Higher-temperature DBC exhibited greater electron-shuttle ability and faster apparent diffusion.
A new review suggests slow pyrolysis can reduce environmental risks while recovering materials, metals, and energy from contaminated agricultural biomass. The process involves controlled heating, producing biochar, bio-oil, and gases, with potential applications in soil amendment, water treatment, and metal recovery.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a highly efficient method for producing sustainable hydrogen, drastically reducing CO2 emissions. The new process, called methane pyrolysis, produces mostly water and high-quality graphite, a valuable byproduct with potential applications in battery materials and other technologies.
A new method has been developed to increase tar yield from low-rank coal, resulting in improved fuel quality and reduced unwanted reactions. By redirecting volatile compounds towards a cooler central zone, the researchers were able to limit secondary cracking and increase total tar yield by approximately 8.5%.
A team of researchers created a fishbone catalyst that efficiently converted waste agricultural film into olefin-rich bio-oil through microwave-assisted pyrolysis. The catalyst achieved a bio-oil yield of 89.32 wt.%, with olefins accounting for 84.03% of the oil and C6–C12 compounds dominating the hydrocarbon fraction.
A new study reveals that carefully controlled pore structure and surface chemistry can transform nuisance seaweed into an efficient and reusable CO2 adsorbent. Researchers developed a porous biochar from Sargassum tenerrimum, achieving high CO2 adsorption capacity and rapid uptake.
Researchers developed a fishbone-derived catalyst that turns low-density polyethylene agricultural film into olefin-rich liquid products with yields up to 89.32 wt.% and olefin selectivity of 84.03%. The catalyst, combined with phosphoric acid and iron, promotes carbon-carbon bond cleavage and regulates dehydrogenation reactions.
Researchers developed a simple visual method for tracking vapor movement inside a fixed-bed reactor, finding that internal structures can redirect vapors and improve tar production and gas quality. The design increased total tar yield and raised the light tar fraction to as much as 74.42 percent.
Researchers at Kyushu University found that microwave heating creates high-temperature regions on nickel nanoparticles, accelerating hydrogen production and paving the way for low-carbon chemical manufacturing. The study showed a six-fold increase in hydrogen production compared to conventional heating.
A study by Jeonbuk National University researchers highlights the potential risks of chemical-enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) sewage sludge, but also shows that thermal treatment can lead to secondary heavy metal pollution. The team recommends using lower pyrolysis temperatures to enhance sustainability.
Researchers developed a method to convert waste plastic mulch film into useful chemicals through catalytic pyrolysis. The study found that temperature controlled the product distribution and long-term stability of the catalyst, with optimal conditions producing valuable olefins and easily regenerable tar.
Researchers find co-pyrolysis converts agricultural waste into valuable biochar, reducing emissions while improving soil health and sustainability. The process could cut millions of tons of emissions and deliver substantial carbon emission reductions.
Researchers discovered that mannan rich palm handicraft residues, particularly tagua nut and bodhi root powders, can be converted into levomannosan and related furan compounds at moderate temperatures. This process provides a practical guide for using handicraft waste as a controlled chemical feedstock.
A new review reveals microwave-assisted pyrolysis can produce advanced carbon materials from biomass and waste in a fraction of the time, with improved performance and sustainability. This technology offers a powerful alternative for building next-generation materials needed for carbon neutrality.
Animal manure biochar effectively removes hazardous pollutants such as dyes, antibiotics and heavy metals from wastewater. The material's surface chemistry and mineral content support mechanisms like electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding and ion exchange.
This online talk showcases an innovative method of repurposing industrial effluents to enrich biochar, creating a sustainable circular economy in real-world farming. Biochar researcher Prof. Salah Jellali shares his insights on upgrading plain biochar into a smart fertilizer.
Researchers developed a novel biochar material with a high specific surface area and micropore volume, achieving a maximum CO2 adsorption capacity of 3.434 millimoles per gram at room temperature. The material's optimal mesopore proportion enabled rapid adsorption kinetics, resolving a long-standing trade-off in biochar design.
A new study shows that animal manure can be converted into a valuable solution for cleaning polluted water. Biochar, a carbon-rich material formed by heating organic matter, is stable, safe, and highly effective at removing contaminants such as toxic dyes, heavy metals, and pharmaceutical residues.
Biochar, a carbon-rich material, is gaining attention for its ability to improve soils, clean water, and capture carbon. Machine learning models can predict biochar yield and pollutant removal efficiency with over 90% accuracy, accelerating its development.
Researchers propose using bio-oil to sequester carbon dioxide in abandoned oil wells, offering a cost-effective alternative to direct air capture. The technology involves fast pyrolysis of biomass feedstock, producing bio-oil that can be injected into empty wells.
Researchers explore converting bioprecursors into fossil-free graphite, providing sustainable alternatives to traditional materials. This transition has significant implications for industrial decarbonization and the development of eco-friendly technologies.
A new study challenges conventional models and reveals biochar's exceptional capacity for long-term carbon storage. Biochar is shown to be far more effective at long-term carbon storage than previously thought.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology found that biochar significantly reduces DDT uptake by earthworms in contaminated soil, halving the toxin's presence. This method could enable farming on land deemed unusable due to environmental risks.
A UTA chemist has developed a new method to separate and recycle mixed plastics using supercritical fluid chromatography. The technique can differentiate oils created from various plastics, holding promise for improving recycling rates and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Researchers at University at Buffalo have discovered a way to create strong and effective fuel cell catalysts that approach the performance of platinum. By adding hydrogen to the fabricating process, they were able to balance durability and efficiency, potentially making fuel cells more affordable and polluting-free.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology develop method to treat cigarette butts using pyrolysis, producing oil, char, and gas with real applications in fertilizers, wastewater treatment, energy storage, and biofuels. The process reduces biodiesel production costs by adding triacetin-rich oil as an additive.
Researchers from China University of Petroleum apply terahertz spectroscopy to characterize oil shale's anisotropy, organic distribution, and fingerprint spectrum. The method enables simultaneous characterization of main oil generation zones and natural gas zones.
Using thermal decomposition in superheated steam helps preserve the mechanical properties of reclaimed carbon fibers. The results show improved bending strength and Izod impact strength compared to those made with virgin fibers.
A team at Aston University has demonstrated that benchtop spectrometers can analyse pyrolysis bio-oils with high accuracy, comparable to expensive high-field spectrometers. This breakthrough makes NMR analysis of pyrolysis oils more accessible and affordable.
Researchers developed a nanoscale material technique called inverse thermal degradation (ITD) to control high-temperature flames and tune material properties. By regulating oxygen access, ITD allows for smoldering rather than bursting into flames, producing carbon tubes with desired characteristics.
A new recycling method reduces emissions by 60% and opens the door to reusing materials like plastic film, multilayer materials, and colored plastics. The technique recovers olefins from pyrolysis oil and uses them in a chemical process to convert into aldehydes and industrial alcohols.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have detected the elusive ethyl radical intermediate in the ethane pyrolysis reaction, a key driver of chemical reactions in the plastics and natural gas industries. This discovery could lead to more efficient production of plastics and other chemicals with reduced byproducts and pollution.
A new project at Aarhus University aims to develop Denmark's first reactor for carbon-negative hydrogen production from biogas using catalytic pyrolysis. The technology converts captured CO2 into solid form while producing hydrogen, reducing energy consumption by one-fifth compared to green hydrogen production.
Researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) demonstrate a feasible waste plastic pyrolysis model, increasing profitability and reducing CO2 emissions compared to centralized processes. The study also found significant decreases in transportation costs and related emissions.
Major chemical companies are backing pyrolysis plants to expand plastics recycling, but environmentalists remain skeptical. The process converts plastic waste into hydrocarbon feedstocks that can be turned into plastics again, making up for the shortcomings of traditional recycling which captures only about 9% of plastics in the US.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma and Iowa State University are exploring a four-year project to create carbon-neutral or carbon-negative hydrogen energy by converting methane into solid carbon. The team aims to create new value from the byproduct, solid carbon, which could benefit society in various ways.
A research team analyzed the economic feasibility of in situ upgrading technology by assessing the energy consumption ratio. They found that appropriate well spacing and minimum total organic content are crucial for efficient energy use. The study aims to promote the application of this technology for optimized oil shale exploitation.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong create lightweight, ultra-tough hybrid carbon microlattices that are 100 times stronger and doubled in ductility compared to original polymers. The new method enables the creation of sophisticated 3D parts with tailored mechanical properties for various applications.
Researchers found that chemical pre-treatment can help microorganisms break down plastics more quickly. The process makes carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen from the plastic's molecular structure more accessible for bacteria to use as food.
Wind turbine blades made from glass fibre-reinforced polymer can serve up to 25 years before ending up in landfills. Lithuanian researchers have proposed a method to break down these composites, extracting usable materials like phenol and fibre for reuse.
A team of researchers proposes converting discarded surgical masks into a burnable fuel through pyrolysis, yielding a carbon-rich oil with high heating value. The study suggests this method offers better environmental performance compared to conventional waste management approaches.
A new study proposes a sustainable recycling method for PPE waste using pyrolysis, a medium-temperature reaction that reduces plasticized medical-protection garb into chemicals and petroleum. The method avoids landfill use and incineration, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 35.42%.
Researchers developed a photocatalytic oxidative reforming process to convert bio-polyols into CO under ambient conditions. The Z-scheme catalyst structure facilitated adsorption and activation of dioxygen, promoting hydroxyl radicals and enhanced CO production rate.
Researchers at California State Polytechnic University use catalytic pyrolysis to upcycle plastic waste into a valuable fuel source. The process converts primary organic waste into a sustainable fuel or other valuable chemicals.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a clean and cost-effective way to upcycle used plastic into high-value products such as carbon nanotubes and clean liquid fuel. The two-step process converts organic waste into charcoal, which is then used as a catalyst to upcycle the plastic.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a way to transform cow manure into a manageable, ecologically friendly biochar fertilizer through pyrolysis. This process reduces water content from 90% to zero, alleviating environmental issues and saving farmers money.
Researchers found that wood vinegar and tar fraction in bio-oil produced from hazelnut shells pyrolysis at 400 C to 1,000 C contain high concentrations of phenolic substances, which contribute to their antioxidant activity. The study suggests using these fractions as a potential renewable energy source.
Researchers synthesized vanadates and vanadites of rare-earth metals to treat polyolephin plastic waste. The process increases gas liberation and changes end product composition, producing light olefins and syngas. This technology may lead to the development of new polymer waste treatment methods.
Researchers at Seoul National University developed a novel laser-thermal mechanism that realizes ultra-fast construction of PDMS devices. The technique, named successive laser pyrolysis (SLP), provides an alternative to conventional soft lithography and enables the direct fabrication of various PDMS structures.
A recent study published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews has explored the potential of using catalytic pyrolysis to convert used tyres into alternative fuels. The process produces liquid fuel with aromatic compounds, as well as gas and solid products that can be used for energy production and carbon black reuse.
Carbon nanolattice materials exhibit unparalleled mechanical properties due to the high aspect ratio of their beams and defects sensitivity reduction.
Researchers from Tomsk Polytechnic University discovered that straw, chips, sawdust, and peat can generate more heat than they consume during pyrolysis, a process that can be optimized for efficient energy production. This technology has the potential to make energy generation from biofuel more resource-efficient and environmentally fr...
A special issue of Energy Technology showcases recent advances in pyrolysis technologies, which convert biomass into fuels, chemicals and fertilizers. Iowa State research teams led by Brown and Brent Shanks contributed papers to the issue, exploring topics such as micropyrolyzer equipment and bio-oil processing.
Researchers have developed a process that uses flash pyrolysis to produce fuels and raw materials from biomass and waste, including plastics and tires. The process produces bio-oil with a high energy density and can be used to replace petroleum-based products.
The High-Throughput Analytical Pyrolysis (HTAP) tool from NREL can analyze hundreds of biomass samples daily, providing early insights into ideal plant genes. This accelerated method reduces the time required to analyze a sample from two weeks to just two minutes.
The collaboration aims to improve vapor phase upgrading during the biomass pyrolysis process, enabling the production of lignocellulose-based fuels at a competitive cost. The partnership seeks to develop catalytic materials that can convert biomass vapors into liquid fuels suitable for transportation.
Researchers calculate how cellulose in wood decomposes when heated, offering a new mechanism for converting farmed and waste wood into useful bio-oils. The findings could spur more effective and efficient ways of extracting energy from wood.
A team of UMass Amherst chemical engineers has discovered a 'mini-cellulose' molecule that behaves like cellulose when converted to biofuel. This breakthrough enables the use of computer simulations to study biomass conversion, which could lead to more efficient and cost-effective biofuels.