Fast Pyrolysis of Opuntia ficus-indica (Prickly Pear) and Grindelia squarrosa (Gumweed)

Journal Article · 08 February 2018 · Energy and Fuels

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.7b03752 · OSTI ID:1462323

Cross, Phillip ^[1]; Mukarakate, Calvin ^[2]; Nimlos, Mark ^[2]; Carpenter, Daniel ^[2]; Donohoe, Bryon S. ^[2]; Mayer, Jesse A. ^[3]; Cushman, John C. ^[3]; Neupane, Bishnu ^[3]; Miller, Glenn C. ^[3]; Adhikari, Sushil ^[1]

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1. Auburn Univ., AL (United States)
2. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
3. Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States)

Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear) and Grindelia squarrosa (gumweed) are two exceptionally drought tolerant plant species capable of growing in arid and semiarid environments. Additionally, they have unique cell wall structures. Prickly pear contains pectin and high levels of ash (16.1%) that is predominantly Ca and K. Gumweed has high levels of extractives that contain grindelic acid and monoterpenoids. The objective of this paper was to evaluate how these unique cell wall components alter the pyrolysis performance of prickly pear and gumweed. Using a tandem micropyrolyzer with GC-MS/FID/TCD, a detailed account of the product slate is given for products generated between 450 and 650 degrees C. Pyrolysis of prickly pear showed that the high levels of ash increase the amount of organics volatilized and shifted product pools, making it possible to generate up to 7.3% carbonyls vs 3.8% for Pinus taeda (loblolly pine) and 10.5% hydrocarbons vs 1.8% for pine depending on reaction conditions. Pyrolysis of gumweed showed that the extractives were volatilized at low temperatures and led to 17.7% grindelic acid and monoterpenoids derivatives in the condensed vapor phase. In conclusion, at high temperatures, the extractives and other biomass components are converted to aromatics and C₅-C₁₀ hydrocarbons, giving a total yield of 16.6%, and also generate large amounts of C₂-C₄ hydrocarbons, 11.3%.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation and Fuels. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1462323
• Report Number(s): NREL/JA-5100-72061
• Journal Information: Energy and Fuels, Vol. 32, Issue 3; ISSN 0887-0624
• Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English