Implementation of gas and liquid chromatography in the study of liquid products of microwave-assisted pyrolysis

In this work, the possibilities of implementation of the GC-FID and GC-MS gas chromatography techniques supported by classic LC liquid chromatography to study the components of bio-oil derived from the pyrolysis of solid biomass were examined. Research on biomass and its processing products is aimed at the development of pro-ecological fuels and / or fuels containing fractions obtained from biomass or waste materials. The aim of these activities is to gradually increase the use of energy sources derived from renewable raw materials and limiting the use of fossil raw materials. It is one of the ways to reduce GHG emissions. This action is related to the guidelines of the European Union Directives describing an increase in the share of renewable energy sources in transport and energy - Directives 2003/30/EC and 2009/28/EC - the promotion of the use of biofuels or other renewable fuels in transport and the increase in the share of energy obtained from renewable sources in various sectors of the European Community. The use of energy obtained from biomass is one of the main areas of interest in Poland's energy policy, consistent with the policy objectives set by the European Union. This article describes the types of biomass found in Poland and the use of gas and liquid chromatography techniques (Py-GC, GC-MS, GC-FID) in the study of liquid products of the biomass pyrolysis process. The chromatographic conditions for testing liquid products of solid biomass pyrolysis with the use of a microwave pyrolysis reactor as an element of the apparatus enabling the research with chromatographic techniques were developed. Using selected analytical conditions, tests were carried out on liquid products of biomass pyrolysis: giant miscanthus, straw, pine sawdust, sunflower husks and coffee grounds. The components of bio-oil derived from biomass pyrolysis were identified and a method for the quantification of bio-oil components was proposed. The possibility of the simultaneous application of various gas chromatography techniques to understand the chemical composition of bio-oil from microwave pyrolysis of various types of solid biomass was demonstrated.