Characterization of bamboo species at different ages and bio-oil production

Two different bamboo species (Pseudosasa amabilis and Pleioblastus chino) were chosen as potential resources for producing biofuels and chemicals. Specifically, in this study, three stages (one year, two years and three years old) were considered to find the influence of aging on biomass properties, pyrolysis products distribution, and the properties of bamboo bio-oil. Changing trends of chemical components were similar for the two bamboo species, and their contents were comparable. Ash content of bamboo biomass increased with age; whereas, the soluble part of ash actually decreased. The insoluble part of ash contributed on char production. Bamboo lignin has more syringyl units than guaiacyl units. Higher heating value (HHV) of the two bamboo species were in the range of 19.4-19.9 MJ/kg. Products distributions of bamboo pyrolysis were similar between two species; the yield of bio-oil (water free) was increasing with bamboo aging. Physical and chemical properties (e.g., density, pH, HHV, viscosity, water content and CHNO) as well as the chemical composition of the bio-oil were analyzed. Significant reduction in water content (from 26.30% to 9.65%) was observed in P. chino bio-oil, whereas it was fairly stable (from 16.26% to 15.82%) in P. amabilis bio-oil. The aging influence on the bio-oil properties was much lower for P. amabilis as compared to P. chino.