Methodology for estimation of thermal ejection droplet size distribution and intensity during the pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse and model compounds

•A methodology to measure droplet size and thermal ejection intensity of pyrolysis aerosols is proposed.•This methodology is used to study the behavior of aerosols produced form avicel, xylan and organosolv lignin.•High heating rates and vacuum favor the formation of aerosols.

In this paper, the authors propose and evaluate a methodology to capture and visualize aerosols that are thermally ejected from the liquid intermediate of sugarcane bagasse and its pseudo-components (Avicel cellulose, Xylan and Organosolv lignin) pyrolysis. Tests were conducted on a hot plate reactor at 500 °C with two different pressures (150 mbar and 900 mbar) and two heating rates (10 °C/s and 1200 °C/s). The aerosols were collected on a heated slide located across from the sample. The slides were visualized with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) do determine the number and diameters of the droplets. Results showed that vacuum and the high heating rate (150 mbar and 1200 °C/s) favored thermal ejection of aerosols. The aerosol yield for sugarcane bagasse was lower to those obtained for cellulose and Organosolv lignin, and heating rate enhanced aerosol release more dramatically than pressure.