Sustainable Products from Forest Biomass: Biochar and Bio-Oil via Slow Pyrolysis from Eucalyptus Waste

Pyrolysis is a promising thermochemical conversion method that can produce solid, liquid or gaseous products from forest biomass. In this study, eucalyptus wood chips were processed using slow pyrolysis in a prototype-scale agitated reactor. Batch pyrolysis was carried out on a 100 g sample of biomass with a heating rate of 10 °C/min. The process was conducted at three final temperatures: 400 °C, 450 °C, and 500 °C. For each temperature, residence times of 30 and 60 min were applied once the target temperature was reached. The biochars produced at each temperature were studied to verify their applications. The yield was in the range of 24–27% on a dry basis. The biochars showed characteristics appropriate for energy and environmental applications, such as improving soil properties. The bio-oils were mixed and analyzed using the GC-MS method. The yield was between 43 and 46%. When tested as a potential wood-modifying agent, the bio-oil achieved a weight percent gain of 23.41% compared to the control samples and enhanced the dimensional stability of the wood.