Real-time visualization of structural changes in woody biomass during radiant heating using synchrotron radiation X-ray computed tomography

In this study, a microscopic visualization of the pyrolysis of woody biomass is conducted using the BL20B2 beamline at SPring-8, a large synchrotron radiation facility. Changes in the shape and internal structure of the woody biomass are visualized using ultra-high-speed X-ray computed tomography (CT). The specimens are Japanese cypress, ramin, and bamboo with a height of 5 mm and diameter of 5 mm. Infrared halogen heater is used as the heat source to achieve a high heat flux. The specimens expand under a high heat flux. Compared with the experimental results under a low heat flux obtained in a previous study (Daitoku, 2017), a completely different aspect is observed. In a nitrogen atmosphere, the internal structure of the specimens during transient pyrolysis are visualized using ultra-high-speed X-ray CT.