Preparation, properties, and bonding utilization of pyrolysis bio-oil

Authors: MAO, AN - Shandong Agricultural University; He, Zhongqi; WAN, HUI - Mississippi State University; LI, QI - Shandong University

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/16/2016
Publication Date: 2/14/2017
Citation: Mao, A., He, Z., Wan, H., Li, Q. 2017. Preparation, properties, and bonding utilization of pyrolysis bio-oil. In: He, Z., editor. Bio-based Wood Adhesives: Preparation, Characterization, and Testing. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. pp. 250-279.

Interpretive Summary: The rapid increase in energy consumption, limited fossil fuel resource and environmental concerns have stimulated the research need for biomass-derived fuels and chemicals. The scope of biomass includes but not limited to woody and herbaceous materials, energy crops, bark, and forest/agricultural residues. Pyrolysis is a thermal degradation process of biomass in the absence of oxygen. The liquid product from pyrolysis is known as bio-oil. This chapter covers the preparation and properties of bio-oil from pyrolysis of biomass, and its applications in wood bonding. Bio-oil can be blended or synthesized with commercial available chemicals to prepare phenol formaldehyde, polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate, epoxy, and starch resin/adhesive. These bio-oil modified/blended adhesives have been applied in plywood, oriented strand board, particleboard, and flakeboard manufacturing. Future research should focus on improving resin properties, developing new phenol separation/oil processing technology, and optimizing panel press parameters.

Technical Abstract: The rapid increase in energy consumption, limited fossil fuel resource, and environmental concerns have stimulated the research need for biomass-derived fuels and chemicals. Pyrolysis is a thermal degradation process of biomass in the absence of oxygen. The liquid product from pyrolysis is known as bio-oil. Currently, it can be used as energy source as well as a feedstock for chemical production. In this chapter, we first discussed the pyrolysis process used in the preparation of bio-oil and its chemical components and properties. The bio-oil obtained from pyrolysis process is a multi-component mixture of molecules with different molecular weights derived from depolymerization of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Then, we reviewed the current research progress of bio-oil in wood bonding utilization. Bio-oil can be blended or synthesized with commercial chemicals to prepare phenol formaldehyde (PF), polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI), epoxy, and starch resin/adhesive. These bio-oil modified/blended adhesives have been applied in plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), particleboard, and flakeboard manufacturing. Finally, the authors concluded with discussions and future research directions. Efforts still have to be made to meet the challenges of making quality comparable products at a reasonable cost. Future research should focus on improving resin properties, developing new phenol separation/oil processing technology, and optimizing panel press parameters. Moreover, the bio-oil production process should also correspond with its target application to make better use of its potential as renewable resources.