IRDA, in collaboration with Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec (CRIQ), has developed and patented a vertical auger pyrolysis reactor. The experimental pyrolysis unit, installed at IRDA’s laboratory for developing energy for sustainable agriculture (LEAD), is an extremely efficient and versatile piece of equipment used to validate the parameters for rapid pyrolysis treatment of agricultural biomass and other waste materials.
Pyrolysis, a method for the thermochemical conversion of biomass, is carried out at high temperatures (350° to 700°C) in the absence of oxygen. It produces a solid biochar, a liquid bio-oil, and non-condensable gases.
With a heating value of up to 25 MJ/kg, bio-oil can be used to replace fossil fuels in heating units.
Biochar can function as an amendment when applied to farm soil. In addtion, it can sequester carbon and contribute to a reduction in GHG emissions. It also promotes soil porosity, nutrient adsorption, and water retention, and helps maintain appropriate pH levels.
Pyrolysis has been successfully used to produce pyrolytic oils and biochar from biomass and various residues, such as:
The technology has also been used to produce fuel for no. 2 oil heating systems.
The most recent research involves
Other projects:
IRDA is always on the lookout for companies wishing to collaborate with the Institute on developing new technologies.
IRDA
Éric Dion, Director of Business Development and Communication
Research report • Stéphane Godbout, Joahnn Palacios, Patrick Brassard, Dan Zegan,Luc Belzile
Godbout, S., J. H. Palacios, P. Brassard, D. Zegan, O. Solomatnikova, L. Belzile, A. Patry, P. Seers, S. Elcadhi, E. Le Roux et F. Pelletier. 2017. Valorisation de résidus agricoles par conversion thermochimique afin de produire un combustible destiné aux systèmes de chauffage au mazout no 2 actuellement en place dans les entreprises serricoles. IRDA & Partners. 94 p. Pyrolysis of agricultural residues to produce bio-oil having No.2 fuel oil characteristics for greenhouse heating systems DownloadResearch report • Christine Landry, Mylène Marchand-Roy, Caroline Côté, Stéphane Godbout, Luc Belzile, Richard Hogue
Landry, C., M. Marchand-Roy, C. Côté, S. Godbout, D. Cinq-Mars, L. Belzile, R. Hogue. 2017. Évaluation du potentiel de valorisation de résidus granulés de pommes de terre à la ferme pour les filières alimentation animale, fertilisation et énergie. IRDA. 27 p. Assessing the potential of using granulated potato residues to produce animal feed, fertilizers, and energy Download