Conversion of Biomass to a Pyrolytic Oil for Blending Gasoline as an Alternative Fuel in Internal Combustion Engines

Abstract

Dried ground seven biomass samples were converted to charcoal, liquid, and gaseous products using pyrolysis at different temperatures. From 27.7 to 44.0% liquid pyrolysis products were obtained from pyrolysis of the biomass samples with a heating rate of 2.2 s/K at a 293-870 K temperature range. The acetone solubles of the pyrolysis products were added to gasoline. Solubilities of the acetone solubles in gasoline were tested as 3.4-6.8% by weight. When 10% methanol is added to gasoline, the octane number increased by 14%. The C₃, C₄, and C₅ iso- and n-alcohols were found to be the most effective blending agents in reducing phaseseparation temperature. Iso-amyl alcohol was found to be the most effective blending agent for methanol-gasoline blending engine fuels.