Parallels between slow pyrolysis of Estonian oil shale and forest biomass residues

Different types of forest residual biomass, including pine wood, pine bark and spruce needles, and Estonian Kukersite oil shale, were parallelly subjected to the slow pyrolysis in similar conditions. A Fischer assay, modeling industrial semi-coking retorts, was used. Both the yield and the composition of liquid, gaseous and solid products of pyrolysis were determined. FTIR-spectroscopic and chromatographic methods were used to study products group and individual composition. Common and specific features in biomass and oil shale semi-coking have been described. In comparison with oil shale, the biomass yielded less oil and more gas. Specifically large amounts of reaction water and carbon dioxide were obtained in biomass pyrolysis resulting in formation of significantly deoxygenated liquid and solid products. Bio-oils can be distinguished by the solubility in conventional solvents. Kukersite shale oil and the benzene-soluble fractions of different bio-oils were characterized by similar group composition.