Pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse pellets: influence of temperature and pellet density on co‐product yields

Abstract The energy potential of sugarcane bagasse, a byproduct of one of the most abundant crops, has attracted significant attention as a renewable energy source. However, optimizing the pyrolysis process to maximize energy recovery and the quality of the products derived from this biomass remains challenging. This study investigated the influence of pellet density on the yields of biochar, bio‐oil, and noncondensable gases (NCG) from the pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse conducted at different temperatures. The pyrolysis tests were conducted at three different temperatures (400 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C) using pellets with two distinct densities (D1 and D2). Four processes were carried out: pyrolysis at 400 °C with D1 pellets (T400D1); pyrolysis at 600 °C with D1 pellets (T600D1); pyrolysis at 600 °C with D2 pellets (T600D2); and pyrolysis at 800 °C with D2 pellets (T800D2). The results demonstrate that pyrolysis at higher temperatures (600 °C vs 400 °C and 800 °C vs 600 °C) led to a greater mass yield of NCG, whereas lower temperatures favored a higher mass yield of biochar, but bio‐oil yields showed variability and were unpredictable. Similar trends were observed for the energy content. Higher density pellets (D2) enhanced biochar production whereas lower density pellets (D1) increased NCG yields. This study contributes to a better understanding of the pyrolysis process and highlights the need for optimized conditions to improve the sustainability and energy efficiency of biomass conversion technologies.