Determination of the energy potential of gases produced in the pyrolysis processes of the vegetal carbon manufacture industry

In this work, a pyrolysis plant located in Valverde de Leganes, Badajoz (SW Spain) was studied. At present, only the solid phase obtained by pyrolysis finds an application as domestic fuel. In order to analyze the feasibility of a further energetic exploitation of the plant under study, the gases flowing through the chimneys were collected at different times throughout the pyrolysis process. Next, they were characterized and quantified by gas chromatography, the energy potential of each of the gases being determined. According to the results obtained in this study, a total energy potential of 5.6 × 107 MJ (i.e., 1.78 MWt) might be generated yearly. Hence, considering an overall process yield equal to 20%, up to 358 KWe would be produced. This power would supply enough electric energy to the industry, the remaining being added to the common electric network.