Solar Facilities for the European Research Area-Second Phase

Funder

Organizational Unit

Publications

Homogeneização do fluxo em concentradores solares de elevada intensidade

Publication . Pereira, J.C.G.; Fernandes, Jorge Cruz; Rodríguez, J.; Rosa, Luís Guerra

RESUMO: Quer as medições experimentais realizadas com radiómetros, quer as simulações ópticas já efectuadas, evidenciam a dificuldade de obtenção de fluxos homogéneos de radiação solar, nos atuais fornos solares de elevada concentração. Apesar de se recorrer a dispositivos ópticos denominados homogeneizadores do fluxo da radiação, os atuais fornos solares não conseguem contornar satisfatoriamente este problema. Neste trabalho propõe-se uma solução baseada na utilização de concentradores solares com dois parabolóides, um grande e um pequeno, com o mesmo ponto focal. De acordo com as nossas simulações de óptica geométrica, a dupla reflexão pelos dois parabolóides permite obter radiação homogénea numa região central circular com dimensões adequadas.

2020-11Conference object

Open access

Slow pyrolysis of cork granules under nitrogen atmosphere: by-products characterization and their potential valorization

Publication . Costa, Paula; Barreiros, M. Alexandra; Mouquinho, Ana; Silva, P. Oliveira e; Paradela, Filipe; Oliveira, Fernando Almeida Costa

ABSTRACT: Cork granules (Quercus suber L.) were slowly pyrolyzed at temperatures between 400-700 degrees C and under N-2 flow. While preserving its structure, some cells of the cork biochar became interconnected, allowing such carbon residue to be used as templates for manufacturing ceria redox materials. The pyrolytic char morphology was similar to that of the natural precursor. The produced cork biochar belonged to Class 1 (C > 60%) and possessed a high heating value of 32 MJ kg(-1). Other pyrolysis-derived compounds were identified and quantified through GC-FID and GC-MS analyses. The yield of gases released during cork pyrolysis was strongly dependent on the temperature used due to the thermal decomposition reactions involved in the degradation of cork. In particular, rising pyrolysis temperature from 500 to 700 T resulted in reducing the total hydrocarbon gases from 74 to 24 vol%. On the other hand, the yield of H-2 increased from 0 to 58% by increasing the pyrolysis temperature from 400 to 700 T. Due to the presence of suberin in cork, the composition and yield of bio-oil could be regulated by the pyrolysis temperature. Cork bio-oil was found to consist of long-chain hydrocarbons (from C11 to C24). The bio-oil resulting from the slow pyrolysis of cork residues is suitable as an appropriate feedstock for producing aliphatic-rich pyrolytic biofuels or as a source of olefms. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that Quercus suber L. could be a promising feedstock for biochar and biofuel production through the pyrolytic route and could contribute to the environmental and economic sustainability of the cork production industry.

2022-03Journal article

Open access