Characterization of char from rapid pyrolysis of rice husk

In the present study, one process was selected for a fundamental study of structural evolution during rapid pyrolysis, as well as for the study of the influence of such evolution on char reactivity. Chars were prepared at different situations from rice husk. The reactivity of resultant chars was measured using non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis. The structure of fresh and partly reacted chars was characterized using proximate and ultimate analyses, physical adsorption/desorption measurements of N2 (− 196 °C), mercury intrusion porosimetry (414 MPa), FTIR, Helium pycnometer as well as samples visualization by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Appreciable differences in the physical characteristics, depending markedly on the pyrolysis stage, were observed.SEM observation showed that surface of pore in char particle became increasingly rough in the middle of pyrolysis. Micropore characteristics obtained from adsorption/desorption measurement were complex. Release of volatile material led to the development of pores with different changing trends. The surface area of char increased with pyrolysis process to a maximum value of 56.95 m2/g at pyrolysis reaction ratio (Rp = 0.90). Macropores in char particles which were evaluated by mercury intrusion porosimetry indicated that the porosity increases continually. Combined the analysis result of density with porosity data, it was showed that particle shrinkage happened at the first stage of rapid pyrolysis. The H/C, O/C and N/C ratios of the char changed with different trends when the pyrolysis reaction ratio increased. Furthermore, FTIR studies indicated a gradual decrease in the intensities of OH, C–H and C–O stretches with pyrolysis process. At the end of reaction, most bands disappeared, resulting in a char that was mainly an aromatic polymer of carbon atoms.